1The Sages1 instituted other blessings2 and many other statements3 that lack a p’tichah4 and a chatimah, as an expression of praise and acknowledgement of the Holy One, blessed be He5—for example, the blessings of prayer that we have already mentioned.אבְּרָכוֹת אֲחֵרוֹת וּדְבָרִים אֲחֵרִים הַרְבֵּה, שֶׁאֵין בָּהֶן פְּתִיחָה וְלֹא חֲתִימָה, תִּקְּנוּ חֲכָמִים דֶּרֶךְ שֶׁבַח וְהוֹדָיָה לְהַקָדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, כְּמוֹ בִּרְכוֹת הַתְּפִלָּה שֶׁכְּבָר כְּתַבְנוּם.
Among these blessings are the following: A person who builds a new house6 or buys7 new8 articles should recite the blessing: “Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the Universe, Who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.”9 This blessing is recited 10 regardless of whether one possesses similar articles or not.11וְאֵלּוּ הֵן: הַבּוֹנֶה בַּיִת חָדָשׁ וְהַקּוֹנֶה כֵּלִים חֲדָשִׁים, בֵּין יֶשׁ לוֹ כַּיּוֹצֵא בָהֶן בֵּין אֵין לוֹ – מְבָרֵךְ 'בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְמָנוּ וְהִגִיעָנוּ לִזְמַן הַזֶּה'.
2Similarly, a person who sees a friend12 after not seeing him 13 for thirty days or more 14 should recite the blessing shehecheyanu. If he sees him after an interval of twelve months or more, he should recite the blessing “Blessed are You, God...15 Who resurrects the dead.”16 A person who sees17 a fruit18 that grows only in a specific season each year19 should20 recite the blessing shehecheyanu when he sees it for the first time.21בוְכֵן הָרוֹאֶה אֶת חֲבֵרוֹ לְאַחַר שְׁלשִׁים יוֹם – מְבָרֵךְ 'שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ'. וְאִם רָאָהוּ לְאַחַר שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר חֹדֶשׁ – מְבָרֵךְ 'בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ מְחַיֶּה הַמֵּתִים'. הָרוֹאֶה פְרִי הַמִתְחַדֵּשׁ מִשָּׁנָה לְשָׁנָה בִּתְחִלַּת רְאִיָּתוֹ מְבָרֵךְ 'שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ'.
3When a person hears favorable tidings,22 he should recite the blessing: “Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, Who is good and does good.23 “ If he hears bad tidings, he should recite the blessing: “Blessed are You... the true Judge.24גשָׁמַע שְׁמוּעָה טוֹבָה – מְבָרֵךְ 'בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַטּוֹב וְהַמֵּטִיב'. שָׁמַע שְׁמוּעָה רָעָה מְבָרֵךְ 'בָּרוּךְ דַּיַּן הָאֱמֶת'.
A person is obligated to recite a blessing over undesirable occurrences with a positive spirit, in the same manner as he joyfully recites a blessing25 over desirable occurrences. This is implied by Deuteronomy 6:5: “And you shall love God, your Lord... with all your might.” Included in this extra dimension of love26 that we were commanded to express 27 is to acknowledge and praise God with happiness even at one’s time of difficulty.28וְחַיָּב אָדָם לְבָרֵךְ עַל הָרָעָה בְּטוּב נֶפֶשׁ כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁמְּבָרֵךְ עַל הַטּוֹבָה בְּשִׂמְחָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת יְיָ אֱלֹהֶיךָ וְגוֹ' וּבְכָל מְאֹדֶךָ" (דברים ו, ה); וּבִכְלַל אַהֲבָה [זוֹ] הַיְתֵרָה שֶׁנִצְטַוִּינוּ בָהּ – שֶׁאֲפִלּוּ בָּעֵת שֶׁיֵּצַר לוֹ יוֹדֶה וִישַׁבַּח בְּשִׂמְחָה.

Mishneh Torah (Moznaim)

Featuring a modern English translation and a commentary that presents a digest of the centuries of Torah scholarship which have been devoted to the study of the Mishneh Torah by Maimonides.

4When a desirable event occurred to a person or he heard favorable tidings, although it appears that this good will ultimately cause one difficulty,29 he should recite the blessing hatov v’hametiv. Conversely, if a person suffered a difficulty or heard unfavorable tidings, although it appears that this difficulty will ultimately bring him good,30 he should recite the blessing Dayan ha’emet. Blessings are not recited in consideration of future possibilities, but rather on what happens at present.31דהִגִּיעָה אֵלָיו טוֹבָה אוֹ שֶׁשָּׁמַע שְׁמוּעָה טוֹבָה, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהַדְּבָרִים מַרְאִין שֶׁטּוֹבָה זוֹ תִּגְרוֹם לוֹ רָעָה – מְבָרֵךְ 'הַטּוֹב וְהַמֵּטִיב'. וְכֵן אִם נָגְעָה אֵלָיו רָעָה אוֹ שָׁמַע שְׁמוּעָה רָעָה; אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהַדְּבָרִים מַרְאִים שֶׁרָעָה זוֹ גּוֹרֶמֶת לוֹ טוֹבָה – מְבָרֵךְ 'דַּיַּן הָאֱמֶת'. שֶׁאֵין מְבָרְכִין עַל הֶעָתִיד לִהְיוֹת אֶלָּא עַל מַה שֶׁאֵרַע עָתָּה.
5 The following rules govern the recitation of blessings for abundant rainfall: If one owns a field individually, one should recite the blessing shehecheyanu. If one owns it in partnership with others,32 one should recite the blessing hatov v’hametiv.היָרְדוּ גְּשָׁמִים רַבִּים: אִם יֵשׁ לוֹ שָׂדֶה מְבָרֵךְ 'שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ'. וְאִם הָיְתָה שֶׁלּוֹ וְשֶׁל אֲחֵרִים מְבָרֵךְ 'הַטּוֹב וְהַמֵּטִיב'.
If one does not own a field, one should recite the following blessing: We33thankfully acknowledge You, God, our Lord, for each and every drop that you have caused to descend for us. If our mouths were filled....34 They shall all give thanks, praise, and bless Your name, our King. Blessed are You, God, the Almighty, Who is worthy of manifold thanksgiving and praise.35וְאִם אֵין לוֹ שָׂדֶה – מְבָרֵךְ 'מוֹדִים אֲנַחְנוּ לָךְ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ עַל כָּל טִפָּה וְטִפָּה שֶׁהוֹרַדְּתָּ לָנוּ וְאִילוּ פִינוּ מָלֵא כוּ'', עַד 'הֵן הֵם יוֹדוּ וִישַׁבְּחוּ וִיבָרְכוּ אֶת שִׁמְךָ מַלְכֵּנוּ בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֵל רוֹב הַהוֹדָאוֹת וְהַתִשְׁבָּחוֹת'.
6When should the blessing for rain be recited? When much water collects on the face of the earth, the raindrops cause bubbles to form in the rain that has already collected, and the bubbles begin to flow one into another.36ומֵאֵימָתַי מְבָרְכִין עַל הַגְּשָׁמִים? מִשֶּׁיִּרְבֶּה הַמַּיִם עַל הָאָרֶץ, וְיַּעֲלוּ אֲבַעְבּוּעוֹת מִן הַמָּטָר עַל פְּנֵי הַמַּיִם וְיֵלְכוּ הָאֲבַעְבּוּעוֹת זֶה לִקְרַאת זֶה.
7 The following blessings should be recited when a person was told that his father died and that he is his heir: If he has brothers who will share the inheritance with him, he should first recite, Dayan ha’emet, and afterwards, hatov v’hametiv. If he has no brothers who will share with him, he should recite the blessing shehecheyanu.37 To summarize the matter: Whenever a circumstance is of benefit to a person together with others, he should recite the blessing hatov v’hametiv. Should it be of benefit to one person alone, he should recite the blessing shehecheyanu.זאָמְרוּ לוֹ מֵת אָבִיו וְיִרָשֵׁהוּ: אִם יֵשׁ עִמּוֹ אַחִין – מְבָרֵךְ בַּתְּחִלָּה 'דַּיַּן הָאֱמֶת', וְאַחַר כָּךְ 'הַטּוֹב וְהַמֵּטִיב'; וְאִם אֵין עִמּוֹ אַחִים – מְבָרֵךְ 'שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ'. קְצָרוֹ שֶׁל דָּבָר: כָּל דָּבָר טוֹבָה שֶׁהִיא לוֹ וְלַאֲחֵרִים – מְבָרֵךְ 'הַטּוֹב וְהַמֵּטִיב'; וְטוֹבָה שֶׁהִיא לוֹ לְבַדּוֹ מְבָרֵךְ 'שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ'.
8Four individuals are required to render thanks:38 a person who had been sick39 and recuperated,40 a person who had been imprisoned and was released,41 people who alight at their destination after a journey at sea,42 and travelers who reach a settlement.43 These thanks must be rendered in the presence of ten people,44 of whom two are sages,45 as implied by Psalms 107:32: “They will exalt Him in the congregation46 of the people and they will praise Him in the seat of the elders.”47חאַרְבָּעָה צְרִיכִין לְהוֹדוֹת: חוֹלֶה שֶׁנִתְרַפֵּא. וְחָבוּשׁ שֶׁיָּצָא מִבֵּית הָאֲסוּרִים. וְיוֹרְדֵי הַיָּם כְּשֶׁעָלוּ. וְהוֹלְכֵי דְּרָכִים כְּשֶׁיַּגִּיעוּ לְיִשּׁוּב. וּצְרִיכִין לְהוֹדוֹת בִּפְנֵי עֲשָׂרָה, וּשְׁנַיִם מֵהֶם חֲכָמִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר 'וִירוֹמְמוּהוּ בִּקְהַל עָם וּבְמוֹשַׁב זְקֵנִים יְהַלְּלוּהוּ' (תהלים קז, לב).
How does one give thanks and what blessing should one recite? One should stand48 in the midst of the abovementioned company and say: “Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, Who bestows benefits upon the culpable, Who has bestowed all goodness upon me.”49וְכֵיצַד מוֹדֶה וְכֵיצַד מְבָרֵךְ? עוֹמֵד בֵּינֵיהֶן וּמְבָרֵךְ 'בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַגּוֹמֵל לְחַיָּבִים טוֹבוֹת שֶׁגְּמָלַנִּי כָּל טוֹב'.
Those who hear should respond:50 “May He Who granted you beneficence continue to bestow good upon you forever.”51וְכָל הַשׁוֹמְעִין אוֹמְרִים: 'שֶׁגְּמָלְךָ טוֹב – הוּא יִגְּמָלְךָ סֶלָּה'.
9A person who sees a place where miracles were wrought for the Jewish people—for example, the Red Sea52 or the crossings of the Jordan53—should recite the blessing: “Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, Who wrought miracles for our ancestors in this place.” This blessing is recited wherever miracles were performed for many people.טהָרוֹאֶה מָקוֹם שֶׁנַּעֲשׂוּ נִסִּים לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, כְּגוֹן יַם סוּף וּמַעְבְרוֹת הַיַּרְדֵּן, אוֹמֵר 'בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה'. וְכֵן כָּל מָקוֹם שֶׁנַּעֲשׂוּ בוֹ נִסִּים לָרַבִּים.
In contrast, in a place where a miracle54 was performed for an individual, that individual, his son, and his grandson55 should recite the blessing: “Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, Who wrought a miracle for me in this place,” or “...Who wrought a miracle for my ancestors in this place.” אֲבָל מָקוֹם שֶׁנַּעֲשָׂה בוֹ נֵס לְיָחִיד – אוֹתוֹ הַיָחִיד וּבְנוֹ וּבֶן בְּנוֹ מְבָרֵךְ 'בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשָׂה לִי נֵס בַּמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה' אוֹ 'שֶׁעָשָׂה נֵס לַאֲבוֹתַי בַּמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה'.
A person who sees the den of lions into which Daniel was thrown 56 or the fiery furnace into which Chananiah, Mishael, and Azariah57 were thrown should recite the blessing: “Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, Who wrought miracles for the righteous in this place.”הָרוֹאֶה גוֹב אֲרָיוֹת וְכִבְשַׁן הָאֵשׁ שֶׁהֻשְׁלַךְ בּוֹ חֲנַנְיָה מִישָׁאֵל וַעֲזַרְיָה, מְבָרֵךְ 'בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשָׂה נֵס לַצַּדִּיקִים בַּמָקוֹם הַזֶּה'.
A person who sees a place in which false gods are worshiped should recite the blessing: “Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, Who grants patience to those who transgress His will.”58הָרוֹאֶה מָקוֹם שֶׁעוֹבְדִין בּוֹ עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, מְבָרֵךְ 'בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁנָתַן אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם לְעוֹבְרֵי רְצוֹנוֹ'.
When a person sees a place from which the worship of false gods has been uprooted in Eretz Yisrael, he should recite the blessing: “ Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, Who uproots foreign worship from our land.” In the Diaspora, he should recite the blessing: “...Who uproots foreign worship from this place.” In both instances, he should say: “As You have uprooted foreign worship from this place, so may it be uprooted from all places. And may You turn the hearts of its worshipers to serve You.”מָקוֹם שֶׁנֶּעֶקְרָה מִמֶּנּוּ עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה: אִם בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל הוּא – מְבָרֵךְ '[בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם] שֶׁעָקַר עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה מֵאַרְצֵנוּ'; וְאִם בְּחוּץ לָאָרֶץ הוּא – מְבָרֵךְ 'שֶׁעָקַר עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה מִמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה'. וְאוֹמֵר בִּשְׁתֵּיהֶן: 'כְּשֵׁם שֶׁעָקַרְתָּ מִמָּקוֹם זֶה, כָּךְ תְּעַקֵר מִכָּל מְקוֹמוֹת וְתָשִׁיב לֵב עוֹבְדֵיהֶם לְעָבְדֶךָ'.
10A person who sees a settlement of Jewish homes59 should recite the blessing: “Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, Who establishes the border of the widow.”60 One who sees Jewish homes that are destroyed should recite the blessing, “…the true Judge.”61יהָרוֹאֶה בָּתֵּי יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּיִּשּׁוּבָן, מְבָרֵךְ 'בָּרוּךְ אַתָה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם מַצִּיב גְּבוּל אַלְמָנָה.' בְּחֻרְבָּנָן – אוֹמֵר 'בָּרוּךְ [בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם] דַּיַּן הָאֱמֶת'.
A person who sees Jewish graves62 should recite the blessing: Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, Who created you with justice, judged you with justice, sustained you with justice, took your lives with justice, and ultimately, will lift you up with justice to the life of the world to come.63 Blessed are You, God, Who resurrects the dead.הָרוֹאֶה קִבְרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, מְבָרֵךְ 'בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר יָצַר אֶתְכֶם בַּדִּין וְדָּן אֶתְכֶם בַּדִּין וְכִלְכֵּל אֶתְכֶם בַּדִּין וְהֵמִית אֶתְכֶם בַּדִּין וְהוּא עָתִיד לְהָקִים אֶתְכֶם בַּדִּין לְחַיֵּי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ מְחַיֶּה הַמֵּתִים'.
11The following should be recited when one sees 600,000 people at one time. If they are gentiles, one should recite the verse (Jeremiah 50:12): “Your mother shall be greatly ashamed; she that bore you will be disgraced. Behold, the ultimate fate of the gentiles will be an arid wilderness and a desolate land.” If they are Jews and in Eretz Yisrael,64 he should recite the blessing: “Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, the Wise Who knows secrets.”65יאהָרוֹאֶה שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת אֶלֶף אָדָם כְּאֶחָד: אִם גּוֹיִם הֵם, אוֹמֵר 'בּוֹשָׁה אִמְּכֶם מְאֹד חָפְרָה יוֹלַדְתְּכֶם, הִנֵּה אַחֲרִית גּוֹיִם מִדְבָּר צִיָּה וַעֲרָבָה' (ירמיה נ, יב); וְאִם יִשְׂרָאֵל הֵם וּבְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, אוֹמֵר 'בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם חֲכַם הָרָזִים'.
One who sees a gentile wise man66 should recite the blessing: “Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, Who has given of His wisdom to flesh and blood.” When one sees Jewish wise men, one should recite the blessing: “Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, Who has given67 of His wisdom to those who fear Him.” When one sees a Jewish king, one should recite the blessing: “Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, Who has given of His glory and might to those who fear Him.” When one sees a gentile king, one should recite the blessing: “Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, Who has given of His glory to flesh and blood.”68הָרוֹאֶה מֵחַכְמֵי אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם אוֹמֵר 'בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁנָּתַן מֵחָכְמָתוֹ לְבָּשָׂר וָדָם'; חַכְמֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, מְבָרֵךְ 'שֶׁנָּתַן מֵחָכְמָתוֹ לִירֵאָיו'. מַלְכֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, אוֹמֵר 'שֶׁנָּתַן מִכְּבוֹדוֹ וּמִגְּבוּרָתוֹ לִירֵאָיו'; מַלְכֵי אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם, 'מְבָרֵךְ שֶׁנָּתַן מִכְּבוֹדוֹ לְבָּשָׂר וָדָם'.
12A person who sees a Kushit or a person who has a strange-looking face or an abnormal limb69 should recite the blessing: “Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, Who has altered His creations.” When one sees a blind man, a one-legged person, a person with skin boils or white blotches, or the like, should recite the blessing “the true Judge.”70 If they were born with these afflictions, one should recite the blessing “Who has altered His creations.” When one sees an elephant, monkey, or owl, he should recite the blessing: “Blessed... Who has altered His creations.”יבהָרוֹאֶה אֶת הַכּוּשִׁי וְאֶת הַמְשֻׁנִּין בְּצוּרַת פְּנֵיהֶן אוֹ בְּאֶבְרֵיהֶם – מְבָרֵךְ: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם מְשַׁנֶּה אֶת הַבְּרִיּוֹת. הָרוֹאֶה סוּמָא אוֹ קִטֵּעַ וּמֻכֶּה שְׁחִין וּבוֹהֲקָנִין וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָהֶן – מְבָרֵךְ בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם דַּיַּן הָאֱמֶת. וְאִם נוֹלְדוּ כֵּן מִמְּעֵי אִמָּן מְבָרֵךְ: מְשַׁנֶּה אֶת הַבְּרִיּוֹת. הָרוֹאֶה אֶת הַפִּיל וְאֶת הַקּוֹף וְאֶת הַקִּיפוּף – אוֹמֵר בָּרוּךְ מְשַׁנֶּה הַבְּרִיּוֹת.
13A person who sees beautiful and well-formed creations or pleasant-looking trees should recite the blessing: “ Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, Whose world is like this.”71 A person who goes out to the fields or gardens in the month of Nisan72 and sees flowering trees sprouting branches73 should recite the blessing: “Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, Who did not leave anything lacking in His world and created within it fine creations and beautiful and fine trees so that they would give pleasure to men.”יגהָרוֹאֶה בְּרִיּוֹת נָאוֹת וּמְתֻקָנוֹת בְּיוֹתֵר וְאִילָנוֹת טוֹבוֹת – מְבָרֵךְ: שֶׁכָּכָה לוֹ בְּעוֹלָמוֹ. הַיּוֹצֵא לְשָׂדוֹת אוֹ לְגַנּוֹת בְּיוֹמֵי נִיסָן, וְרָאָה אִילָנוֹת פּוֹרְחוֹת וְנִצָּנִים עוֹלִים – מְבָרֵךְ בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁלֹּא חִסַּר בְּעוֹלָמוֹ כְּלוּם וּבָרָא בוֹ בְּרִיּוֹת טוֹבוֹת וְאִילָנוֹת טוֹבוֹת וְנָאוֹת כְּדֵי לֵהָנוֹת בָּהֶן בְּנֵי אָדָם.
14 When one perceives any of the following: winds that blow extremely powerfully, lightning, thunder, loud rumblings that sound like large mills when they are heard on the earth, shooting stars, or comets, one should recite the blessing: “ Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, Whose power and might fill up the world.” If one desires, one may recite the blessing: “ Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, Who performs the work of creation.”74ידעַל הָרוּחוֹת שֶׁנָּשְׁבוּ בְּזַעַף; וְעַל הַבְּרָקִים וְעַל הָרְעָמִים; וְעַל קוֹל הַהֲבָרָה שֶׁתִּשָּׁמַע בָּאָרֶץ כְּמוֹ רֵחַיִּם גְּדוֹלִים; וְעַל הָאוֹר שֶׁבָּאֲוִיר שֶׁיֵּרָאוּ כְּאִלּוּ הֵם כּוֹכָבִים נוֹפְלִים וְרָצִים מִמָּקוֹם לְמָקוֹם, אוֹ כְּמוֹ כּוֹכָבִים שֶׁיֵּשׁ לָהֶם זָנָב – עַל כָּל אֶחָד מֵאֵלּוּ מְבָרֵךְ 'בָּרוּךְ שֶׁכֹּחוֹ וּגְבוּרָתוֹ מָלֵא עוֹלָם'. וְאִם רָצָה מְבָרֵךְ 'עוֹשֶׂה בְרֵאשִׁית'.
15Whenever one sees mountains, hills, seas, deserts, or rivers after a thirty day interval,75 one should recite the blessing “Who performs the work of of creation.” A person Who sees the ocean76 after an interval of thirty days or more should recite the blessing: “ Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, Who created the ocean.”טועַל הֶהָרִים וְעַל הַגְּבָעוֹת עַל הַיַּמִים וְעַל הַמִּדְבָּרוֹת וְעַל הַנְּהָרוֹת, אִם רָאָה אַחַת מֵהֶן מִשְּׁלשִׁים יוֹם לִשְׁלשִׁים יוֹם, מְבָרֵךְ 'עוֹשֶׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית'. הָרוֹאֶה אֶת הַיָּם הַגָּדוֹל מִשְּׁלשִׁים יוֹם לִשְׁלשִׁים יוֹם אוֹ יוֹתֵר – מְבָרֵךְ 'בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינו מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשָׂה אֶת הַיָּם הַגָּדוֹל'.
16A person who sees a rainbow should recite the blessing: “Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, Who remembers the covenant,77 is faithful to His covenant, and maintains His word.”טזהָרוֹאֶה קֶשֶׁת בֶּעָנָן, מְבָרֵךְ 'בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם זוֹכֵר הַבְּרִית וְנֶאֱמָן בִּבְרִיתוֹ וְקַיָּם בְּמַאֲמָרוֹ'.
When a person sees the moon after it is renewed, he should recite the blessing: Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, Who created the heavens with His word and all their hosts with the breath of His mouth. He granted them a fixed law and schedule so that they should not alter their tasks. They rejoice and are glad to carry out the will of their Creator. They78 are faithful servants whose work is righteous. And He instructed the moon to renew itself as a crown of glory to those who are borne by Him from the womb,79 who are destined to be similarly renewed80 and to glorify their Creator for the name of the glory of His kingdom and for all He has created. Blessed are You, God, Who renews the months.81הָרוֹאֶה לְבָנָה בְּחִדוּשָׁהּ, מְבָרֵךְ 'בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר בְּמַאֲמָרוֹ בָּרָא שְׁחָקִים וּבְרוּחַ פִּיו כָּל צְבָאָם חֹק וּזְמַן נָתַן לָהֶם שֶׁלֹּא יְשַׁנוּ אֶת תַּפְקִידָם שָׂשִׂים וּשְׂמֵחִים לַעֲשֹוֹת רְצוֹן קוֹנֵיהֶם פּוֹעֲלֵי אֱמֶת וּפְעוּלָתָם צֶדֶק וְלַלְּבָנָה אָמַר שֶׁתִּתְחַדֵּשׁ עֲטֶרֶת תִּפְאֶרֶת לַעֲמוּסֵי בָטֶן שֶׁהֵם עֲתִידִין לְהִתְחַדֵשׁ כְּמוֹתָהּ וּלְפָאֵר לְיוֹצְאָם עַל כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ וְעַל כָּל מַה שֶׁבָּרָא, בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ מְחַדֵשׁ הֶחֳדָשִׁים'.
17This blessing should be recited while standing, for whoever recites the blessing on the new moon at its appropriate time is considered as if he greeted the Divine Presence.82יזוְצָרִיךְ לְבָרֵךְ בְּרָכָה זוֹ מְעֻמָּד, שֶׁכָּל הַמְבָרֵךְ עַל הַחֹדֶשׁ בִּזְמַנּוֹ כְּאִלּוּ הִקְבִּיל פְּנֵי הַשְׁכִינָה.
If a person did not recite the blessing on the first night,83 he may recite the blessing until the sixteenth of the month, until the moon becomes full.84אִם לֹא בֵרֵךְ עָלֶיהָ בְּלֵיל הָרִאשׁוֹן – מְבָרֵךְ עָלֶיהָ עַד שִׁשָּׁה עָשָׂר יוֹם בַּחֹדֶשׁ, עַד שֶׁתִּמָּלֵא פְגִימָתָהּ.
18A person who sees the sun on the day of the spring equinox at the beginning of the twenty-eight year cycle that begins on Wednesday night85 must recite a blessing. When he sees the sun on Wednesday morning, he should recite the blessing “Who performs the work of creation.”יחהָרוֹאֶה אֶת הַחַמָּה בְּיוֹם תְּקוּפַת נִיסָן שֶׁל תְּחִלַּת הַמַחֲזוֹר שֶׁל שְׁמֹנֶה וְעֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה, שֶׁהַתְּקוּפָה בִּתְחִלַּת לֵיל רְבִיעִי - כְּשֶׁרוֹאֶה אוֹתָהּ בְּיּוֹם רְבִיעִי בַּבֹּקר, מְבָרֵךְ 'בָּרוּךְ עוֹשֶׂה בְרֵאשִׁית'.
Similarly, the blessing “Who performs the work of creation” should be recited when the moon reaches the beginning of the zodiac constellation taleh86 at the beginning of the month87 when it is not pointing to the north or the south, when any of the other five stars that revolve in separate spheres 88 arrive at the beginning of the constellation taleh and do not point to the north or the south, and when one sees the constellation taleh ascend to the eastern corner of the sky.וְכֵן כְּשֶׁתַּחֲזוֹר הַלְּבָנָה לִתְחִלַּת מַזָּל טָלֶה בִּתְחִלַּת הַחֹדֶשׁ וְלֹא תִהְיֶה נוֹטָה לֹא לַצָּפוֹן וְלֹא לַדָּרוֹם; וְכֵן כְּשֶׁיַּחֲזוֹר כָּל כּוֹכָב וְכוֹכָב מֵחֲמֵשֶּׁת הַכּוֹכָבִים הַנִשְׁאָרִים לִתְחִלַּת מַזָּל טָלֶה וְלֹא יִהְיֶה נוֹטֶה לֹא לַצָּפוֹן וְלֹא לַדָּרוֹם; וְכֵן בְּכָל עֵת שֶׁיֵּרָאֶה מַזָּל טָלֶה עוֹלֶה מִקְצֵה הַמִּזְרָח – עַל כָּל אֶחָד מֵאֵלּוּ מְבָרֵךְ 'עוֹשֶׂה בְרֵאשִׁית'.
19When a person sees a settlement of gentile homes, he should recite the verse (Proverbs 15:25): “God will pluck up the house of the proud.”89 Should he see a desolate settlement of gentile homes, he should recite the verse (Psalms 94:1): “The Lord is a God of retribution. O God of retribution, reveal Yourself.”יטהָרוֹאֶה בָּתֵּי אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם בְּיִשּׁוּבָן, אוֹמֵר: 'בֵּית גֵּאִים יִסַּח יְיָ' (משלי טו, כה); בְּחֻרְבָּנָן, אוֹמֵר 'אֵל נְקָמוֹת יְיָ אֵל נְקָמוֹת הוֹפִיעַ' (תהלים צד, א).
When one sees gentile graves, one should recite the verse (Jeremiah 50:12): “Your mother shall be greatly ashamed....”רָאָה קִבְרֵי אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם, אוֹמֵר 'בּוֹשָׁה אִמְּכֶם מְאֹד וְגוֹ'' (ירמיה נ, יב).
20A person who enters a bathhouse should say “May it be Your will, God, our Lord, to allow me to enter in peace and leave in peace, and may You save me from this and the like in the future.” When one leaves the bath, one should say, “I give thanks to You, God, our Lord, for saving me from fire.”90כהַנִּכְנָס לַמֶּרְחָץ, אוֹמֵר 'יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ יְיָ אֱלֹהַי שֶׁתַּכְנִיסֵנִי לְשָׁלוֹם וְתוֹצִיאֵנִי לְשָׁלוֹם וְתַצִּילֵנִי מִזֶּה וּמִכַּיּוֹצֵא בָזֶה לֶעָתִיד לָבֹא'. וּכְשֶׁיָּצָא מִן הַמֶּרְחָץ אוֹמֵר 'מוֹדֶה אֲנִי לְפָנֶיךָ יְיָ אֱלֹהַי שֶׁהִצַּלְתַּנִי מִן הָאוּר (וכו') [הַזֶּה]'.
21A person who goes to let blood should say, “May it be Your will, God, our Lord, that this activity bring me a recovery, for You are a generous healer.” Afterward, one should recite the blessing, “Blessed are You, God...91 Healer of the sick.”כאהַנִּכְנָס לְהַקִּיז דָּם, אוֹמֵר 'יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ יְיָ אֱלֹהַי שֶׁיְהֵא עֵסֶק זֶה לִי לִרְפוּאָה כִּי רוֹפֵא חִנָּם אָתָּה'. וּכְשֶׁיָּצָא אוֹמֵר 'בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ רוֹפֵא חוֹלִים'.
22A person who goes to measure his silo should say, “May it be Your will, God, our Lord, that You send blessing to the work of my hands.” When he begins to measure, he should say, “Blessed be He92 Who sends blessings to this heap of grain.” If he asks for mercy after measuring his grain, his prayer is considered to be in vain. Similarly, whoever calls out to God over events that have already happened is considered to have uttered a prayer in vain.93כבהַהוֹלֵךְ לָמֹד גָּרְנוֹ, אוֹמֵר 'יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ יְיָ אֱלֹהַי שֶׁתִּשְׁלַח בְּרָכָה בְּמַעֲשֵׂה יָדָי'. הִתְחִיל לָמֹד אוֹמֵר 'בָּרוּךְ הַשּׁוֹלֵחַ בְּרָכָה בִּכְרִי זֶה'. מָדַד וְאַחַר כָּךְ בִּקֵשׁ רַחֲמִים – הֲרֵי זוֹ תְּפִלַּת שָׁוְא. וְכָל הַצּוֹעֵק לְשֶׁעָבָר הֲרֵי זוֹ תְּפִלַּת שָׁוְא.
23When a person enters a house of study, he should say:94 May it be Your will, God, our Lord, that I not stumble regarding a point of law, that I not call something that is pure, impure, nor something that is impure, pure, nor call something that is permitted, forbidden, nor something that is forbidden, permitted, and that I not err regarding a point of Torah law and cause my colleagues to laugh at me, nor my colleagues to err and I laugh at them.95כגהַנִּכְנָס לְבֵית הַמִּדְרָש אוֹמֵר 'יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ יְיָ אֱלֹהַי שֶׁלֹּא אֶכָּשֵׁל בִּדְבַר הֲלָכָה שֶׁלֹּא אוֹמַר עַל טָהוֹר טָמֵא וְעַל טָמֵא טָהוֹר וְלֹא עַל מֻתָּר אָסוּר וְלֹא עַל אָסוּר מֻתָּר וְלֹא אֶכָּשֵׁל בִּדְבַר הֲלָכָה וְיִשְׂמְחוּ בִי חֲבֵרַי וְאַל יִכָּשְׁלוּ חֲבֵרַי וְאֶשְׂמַח בָּהֶם'.
24When one leaves the house of study, one should say: I thank You, God, our Lord, that You have granted me a portion among those who sit in the House of Study and have not granted me a portion among those who sit on the street-corners. I rise early and they rise early: I rise early to the words of Torah, and they rise early to fruitless matters. I labor and they labor: I labor for the words of Torah and receive a reward; they labor and do not receive a reward. I run and they run: I run to the life of the world to come, and they run to the pit of destruction.כדוּבִיצִיאָתוֹ מִבֵּית הַמִּדְרָשׁ אוֹמֵר 'מוֹדֶה אֲנִי לְפָנֶיךָ יְיָ אֱלֹהַי שֶׁשַּׂמְתָּ חֶלְקִי מִיּוֹשְׁבֵי בֵּית הַמִּדְרָשׁ וְלֹא שַׂמְתָּ חֶלְקִי מִיּוֹשְׁבֵי קְרָנוֹת. שֶׁאֲנִי מַשְׁכִּים וְהֵם מַשְׁכִּימִים: אֲנִי מַשְׁכִּים לְדִבְרֵי תוֹרָה, וְהֵם מַשְׁכִּימִים לִדְבָרִים בְּטֵלִים; אֲנִי עָמֵל וְהֵם עֲמֵלִין: אֲנִי עָמֵל לְדִבְרֵי תוֹרָה וּמְקַבֵּל שְׂכַר וְהֵם עֲמֵלִין וְאֵין מְקַבְּלִין שָׂכָר; אֲנִי רָץ וְהֵם רָצִים: אֲנִי רָץ לְחַיֵּי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא וְהֵם רָצִים לִבְאֵר שַׁחַת'.
25A person who enters a metropolis should say, “May it be Your will, God, my Lord, to allow me to enter this metropolis in peace.” If one enters in peace, one should say, “I thank You, God, my Lord, for allowing me to enter in peace.”96 When one desires to leave, one should say, “May it be Your will, God, my Lord, to allow me to depart from this metropolis in peace.”כההַנִּכְנָס לִכְרָךְ אוֹמֵר 'יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ יְיָ אֱלֹהַי שֶׁתַּכְנִיסֵנִי לִכְרָךְ זֶה לְשָׁלוֹם'. וְאִם נִכְנַס בְּשָׁלוֹם אוֹמֵר 'מוֹדֶה אֲנִי לְפָנֶיךָ יְיָ אֱלֹהַי שֶׁהִכְנַסְתַּנִי לְשָׁלוֹם'.
If one departs in peace, one should say: I thank You, God, my Lord, for allowing me to depart in peace. As You have allowed me to depart in peace, lead me on my way in peace, direct my steps in peace, support me in peace, and save me from the hands of the enemies and lurking foes on the way.97וּכְשֶׁיְבַקֵשׁ לָצֵאת אוֹמֵר 'יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ יְיָ אֱלֹהַי שֶׁתּוֹצִיאֵנִי מִכְּרַךְ זֶה לְשָׁלוֹם'. וְאִם יָצָא בְשָׁלוֹם אוֹמֵר 'מוֹדֶה אֲנִי לְפָנֶיךָ יְיָ אֱלֹהַי שֶׁהוֹצֵאתַנִי מִכְּרַךְ זֶה לְשָׁלוֹם, וּכְשֵׁם שֶׁהוֹצֵאתַנִי לְשָׁלוֹם כָּךְ תּוֹלִיכֵנִי לְשָׁלוֹם וְתַצְעִידֵנִי לְשָׁלוֹם וְתִסְמְכֵנִי לְשָׁלוֹם וְתַצִּילֵנִי מִכַּף אוֹיֵב וְאוֹרֵב בַּדָּרֶךְ'.
26The general rule is: A person should always cry out to God over future possibilities, asking for mercy. He should thank God for what has transpired in the past, thanking Him and praising Him according to his capacity. Whoever praises and thanks God abundantly and continuously is worthy to be praised.98כוכְּלָלוֹ שֶׁל דָּבָר: לְעוֹלָם יִצְעַק אָדָם עַל הֶעָתִיד לָבֹא וִיבַקֵשׁ רַחֲמִים; וְיִתֵּן הוֹדָיָה עַל מַה שֶׁעָבַר וְיוֹדֶה וִישַׁבַּח כְּפִי כֹחוֹ. וְכָל הַמַּרְבֶּה לְהוֹדוֹת אֶת יְיָ וּלְשַׁבְּחוֹ תָּמִיד – הֲרֵי זֶה מְשֻׁבָּח.