Do parents of a newborn boy recite a Beracha to express their gratitude to G-d for this event, and, if so, when is this Beracha recited?
The Gemara mentions that parents of a newborn baby boy are obligated to recite the Beracha, "Baruch Ata Hashem…Ha'tov Ve'ha'meitiv" ("Blessed are You, G-d…Who is good, and Who acts with goodness"), to give gratitude to G-d for the birth of their child. Some commentaries explain that since a male child inherits his father's estate after the father's passing, parents of a newborn boy experience great joy and satisfaction over the fact that they now have an inheritor, and this joy obligates them to recite a Beracha. Others explain that sons assist their father in his work, and parents therefore recite a Beracha to express gratitude over the extra help they will have when the newborn grows older. This obligation applies only to the birth of a boy, and not to the birth of a girl.
When should this Beracha be recited?
The Chesed Le'alafim and Ben Ish Chai observe the common practice not to recite the Beracha of "Ha'tov Ve'ha'meitiv" at the birth of a newborn boy. Instead, they write, parents rely on the Beracha of Shehechiyanu recited by the father at the child's Brit Mila. Upon reciting this Beracha, the father should have in mind that it should fulfill as well his obligation to recite a Beracha to thank G-d for the blessing of the birth of a baby boy. By the same token, the baby's mother should listen attentively to her husband's recitation of Shehechiyanu at the Brit and likewise have in mind that it should fulfill her obligation to recite a Beracha over the birth of her child.
In conclusion, parents of a newborn boy do not recite a separate Beracha over the birth, but should rather have in mind that the Beracha of Shehechiyanu recited at the Brit Mila should cover their obligation to thank the Almighty for the birth of their child.
