(Hakhel)
As we are now into the “Natural Events” season, we provide the following pertinent Halachos relating to the Brachos on these events–which serve to remind us that they are far from being “natural”.
The basis for the Halachos below is Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Chapter 227 and the Mishna Berurah there, the Sefer Shoneh Halachos and the Sefer Piskei Teshuvos on this Chapter in Shulchan Aruch. We specifically note that one should, of course, consult with his Rav for the final Halacha. We present the following for an understanding of the issues:
1. When experiencing an earthquake, one recites the brocha of “Oseh Ma’aseh Bereishis–Who makes the work of Creation”. It is also permissible to make the brocha of “Shekocho U’Gevuraso Malei Olam–His strength and His power fill the universe”. Piskei Teshuvos writes that the degree of the tremor is not necessarily relevant, as long as it is clearly felt.
HaRav Yaakov Emden, Z’tl, teaches that one should recite the Pasuk from Sefer Yeshaya (6:3) “V’Kara Zeh El Zeh V’Amar Kadosh…” three times, and the earthquake will cease. Indeed, he brings that this Pasuk is specifically intended to cover the situation of an earthquake!
2. On very strong winds, i.e., which winds which uproot either heavy objects or items attached to the ground or to buildings which would not ordinarily have been uprooted, one makes an “Oseh Ma’aseh Beraishis”. On a hurricane (killer type of wind), the Piskei Teshuvos writes that one can make the Brocha of “Shekocho U’Gevuraso”, but HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, Shlita, writes that in all events one should make the Brocha of “Oseh Ma’aseh Beraishis,” because we are not proficient as to the degree of wind that is necessary to make “Shekocho U’Gevuraso.”
3. On lightning, and on thunder, one can make either “Oseh Ma’aseh Beraishis” or “Shekocho U’Gevuraso.” However, the custom is to make the Brocha of “Oseh Ma’aseh Beraishis” on lightning, and the Brocha of “Shekocho U’Gevuraso” on thunder. We note that in many Sephardic communities, the custom may be to recite these Brochos without “Shem U’Malchus” (i.e., skipping from Baruch to “Oseh” or Baruch to “Shekocho”).
4. If one sees lightning and hears thunder simultaneously, he makes one Brocha of “Oseh Ma’aseh Beraishis” on both (he would also be yotzei with the Brocha of “Shekocho U’Gevuraso” on both as well).
5. One does not make a Brocha on lightning which comes only from heat. If one is unsure of the source of the lightning, he should wait until he hears thunder. Then, he makes one Brocha–Oseh Ma’aseh Beraishis–if he experiences them together (as noted in the previous paragraph). However, if he does not experience them together–for example, if he then hears thunder without simultaneous lightning, he makes a Brocha of “Shekocho U’Gevuraso,” and then when he sees lightning (again) he makes the Brocha of “Oseh Ma’aseh Beraishis.”
6. If one already had commenced making a Brocha on lightning and then, while making that Brocha, he heard thunder, he must make a second Brocha on the thunder later (once again, within two to three seconds after hearing the thunder). The same would, of course, be true if he had already begun to make a Brocha on thunder, and then saw lightning–he would make a second Brocha on lightning within two or three seconds after seeing it again later.
7. There is a Machlokes among the Poskim as to whether one has to see the actual lightning bolt in order to make the Brocha of “Oseh Ma’aseh Beraishis” (HaRav Dovid Feinstein, Shlita, for instance, holds that one must see the bolt). Many Poskim (including HaRav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach, Z’tl, and the Zitz Eliezer, Z’tl) rule that one need not see the bolt itself and that, accordingly, one can make the Brocha of “Oseh Maaseh Beraishis” when merely seeing the light flash–and not the actual bolt in the sky.
8. Once again, one must make the Brocha within two to three seconds after seeing the lightning or hearing the thunder. Accordingly, if one came out of the bathroom and washed his hands, and then saw lightning or heard thunder, he should immediately make the Brocha before reciting Asher Yotzar (usually one must be careful to recite the Brocha of Asher Yotzar immediately after coming out of the bathroom).
Because one must make the Bracha so soon after experiencing the lightning or thunder, one may find himself in the midst of Tefillah, and an important issue becomes whether one should interrupt his prayers in order not to miss the Bracha and Hisoreirus opportunity which will quickly pass. Once again, one should consult with his Rav on any particular Shaila, we provide here Halachos as excerpted from the Siddur Kavanas Hashem (Yerushalayim:
Permitted interruptions in Tefillah to make the Bracha over lightning and thunder:
A. During Pesukei DeZimra (except while reciting Baruch Atta Hashem Melech MeHulal Batishbachos, or Baruch Atta Hashem Kel Melech Gadol BaTishbachos…)
B. In between (not during) Brachos of Kriyas Shema, or in between (not during) the first and second and second and third Chapters of Kriyas Shema.
Non-permitted interruptions in Tefillah to make the Bracha over lightning and thunder–i.e., do not make the Bracha at these times:
A. After having made the Bracha on the Tefillin Shel Yad, and before completing placement of the Tefillin Shel Rosh.
B. In the middle of one of the Birchas Kriyas Shema, or in the middle of any Chapter of Shema.
C. In Shemone Esrei, and even in the middle of Elokai Netzor at the end of Shemone Esrei until after Yehiyu LeRatzon Imrei Phee.
D. When in the middle Birchas HaMazon.
E. When in the middle of a making a Bracha (even long Brachos such as Asher Yatzar or HaMa’avir Sheina)
9. If one mistakenly made a Brocha over a flash of light or a thundering noise thinking that it was thunder or lightning (such as an airplane passing overhead at night), he would have to make the appropriate Brochos when he actually hears thunder or sees lightning later.
10. One can assume (unless there is a basis to believe otherwise) that one’s hands are clean, and he does not have to wash them in order to recite the Brocha.
11. Although not absolutely required by Halacha, it is preferable that one stands when making these two Brochos.
12. One makes the Brocha over lightning and thunder only one time a day during the same storm. If the sky completely clears up, and new storm clouds come in, then one makes new Brochos over lightning and thunder even a second time during the day.
13. If a storm had commenced the previous day or even the previous evening, and has still not cleared up by the time one arises the next morning, one would make new Brochos the next morning after daybreak. In other words, the evening and the next morning are considered two separate days for the Brochos over lightning and thunder (just like Birchos HaTorah)–so that one would make new Brochos upon hearing lightning and thunder when awakening the next morning.
14. We should in all events remember that Chazal (Brochos 59A) teach that thunder was invented only to “straighten out the crookedness in the heart,” and thank Hashem for the ordinary and extraordinary events that take place every day–and for our ability to understand and appreciate them!
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