Chapter 4 · Practical halakha

Berakhot of sight and sound - sages, kings, lightning

Lesson 30 of 32 18 min

Mishna 9:2 and Bavli 58 list berakhot on rare phenomena: thunder, lightning, a king, a sage, the sea, a desert. Each is a moment of "noticing" through ear or eye.

Lesson goals

01Identify 6 sight/sound berakhot
02Know when to repeat on the same phenomenon
03Learn the 30-day frequency for "shekakha lo"

Berakhot of Sight and Sound: An Introduction

Our journey through Berakhot continues into sensory experiences. We are building a deeper understanding of the connection between our inner world and the outer world.

The Gemara in Berakhot 58 deals with blessings over rare phenomena. These are not routine blessings, but rather ones that invite us to observe and be awestruck.

Insight

The Talmud guides us to recognize the Creator's presence even in extraordinary events. Not just in daily needs, but also in the wonders of creation.

Decoding Sight Berakhot: Sages and Kings

Let's begin with blessings over seeing important individuals. These blessings express appreciation for human power and its role in the world.

בבלי ברכות נח ע"א

אמר רב יהודה אמר רב: הרואה חכמי ישראל אומר 'ברוך אתה ה' אלהינו מלך העולם שחלק מחכמתו ליראיו'. הרואה מלכי ישראל אומר 'ברוך אתה ה' אלהינו מלך העולם שחלק מכבודו ליראיו'. הרואה מלכי אומות העולם אומר 'ברוך אתה ה' אלהינו מלך העולם שנתן מכבודו לבשר ודם'.

Rav Yehuda said in the name of Rav: One who sees Jewish Sages says, 'Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, who has imparted of His wisdom to those who fear Him.' One who sees Jewish kings says, 'Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, who has imparted of His glory to those who fear Him.' One who sees gentile kings says, 'Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, who has given of His glory to flesh and blood.'

1Identify the type of personality: Jewish Sage, Jewish King, or Gentile King.
2Understand the difference in wording: 'imparted of His wisdom to those who fear Him' versus 'imparted of His glory to those who fear Him' versus 'given of His glory to flesh and blood'.
3Grasp the meaning: Sages receive wisdom, kings receive glory, but the distinction is whether the glory is given to those who fear Him or to all flesh and blood.

יראיוYer'av

These are those who fear G-d – people who recognize and appreciate the Creator.

Decoding Sound and Sight Berakhot: Lightning and Thunder

Nature also presents us with powerful phenomena that require a blessing. Lightning and thunder are prominent examples.

בבלי ברכות נט ע"א

אמר רב יהודה: הרואה ברקים אומר 'ברוך אתה ה' אלהינו מלך העולם עושה מעשה בראשית'. הרואה רעמים אומר 'ברוך אתה ה' אלהינו מלך העולם שכוחו וגבורתו מלא עולם'.

Rav Yehuda said: One who sees lightning says, 'Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, who performs the acts of Creation.' One who hears thunder says, 'Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, whose power and might fill the world.'

Insight

Lightning is a visual spectacle of creation; thunder is an auditory expression of power. Each evokes a different sense of awe within us.

Frequency of Blessings: How Often Do We Repeat the Blessings?

Not every time we see lightning or a king do we repeat the blessing. There is a defined frequency to prevent uttering blessings in vain.

בבלי ברכות נט ע"ב

תנו רבנן: הרואה את הים הגדול מברך 'ברוך עושה מעשה בראשית'. ואינו מברך אלא אחת לשלושים יום. וכן על נהרות הגדולים. וכן על הברקים ועל הרעמים.

Our Rabbis taught: One who sees the Great Sea recites the blessing 'Blessed is He who performs the acts of Creation.' And one only recites this blessing once every thirty days. And similarly for large rivers. And similarly for lightning and for thunder.

Insight

The rule of 'once every thirty days' ensures that the blessing is reserved for a moment of genuine awe, and does not become a meaningless routine.

שכך לו בעולמוShekach Lo B'Olami

Another blessing for phenomena like strong winds, powerful thunder, or earthquakes, one recites 'Blessed is He for whom such is His world.' This blessing does not have a 30-day frequency, but is recited each time one sees or hears an unusual and frightening phenomenon.

Vocabulary from the dictionary

Each word links to the full dictionary entry - source, translation, and grammar.

Practice

Drill: list 3 moments this week that warranted a berakhah - did you actually say one?

Lesson wrap-up

Who blesses, sees. Who does not, passes by.

Check your understanding

Test yourself before marking the lesson complete.

Question 1 of 4

Which blessing is recited upon seeing a gentile king?

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