One of the situations requiring the recitation of Birkat Ha'gomel (the Beracha recited upon being saved from danger) is recovery from illness. One recites this Beracha anytime he recovers from an illness that rendered him bedridden for at least one complete day.
The question arises as to whether one recites this Beracha upon recovering from a manifestation of a recurring condition. For example, if a person occasionally suffers from migraine headaches, which at times can keep a sufferer bedridden for an entire day, must he recite Birkat Ha'gomel upon recovering from the headache? Although he indeed experienced a recovery, he knows that within several weeks he will, in all likelihood, suffer a recurrence. Perhaps, then, this temporary recovery does not suffice to warrant the recitation of Birkat Ha'gomel.
The Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 218:9), however, codifies the ruling of the Rashba (Rabbi Shelomo Ben Aderet, Spain, 1235-1310) that a person does, in fact, recite the Beracha in such a case. The Rashba contended that any subsequent recurrence should be looked upon as a separate illness, and thus the likelihood of a recurrence has no affect on the Halachic status of the current state of recovery. As such, even temporary relief from a recurring condition such as migraine headaches warrants reciting Birkat Ha'gomel if one had been bedridden for an entire day.
If a person faints, Heaven forbid, should he recite Birkat Ha'gomel once he regains consciousness?
The Halacha in this regard depends on the medical circumstances involved. If it can be determined that the person fainted due to fatigue and the like, then he does not recite Birkat Ha'gomel. If, however, a physical examination revealed that the patient fainted as a result of some disorder such as a heart condition or high blood pressure, then he must certainly recite Birkat Ha'gomel to thank the Almighty for restoring his consciousness.
The authorities debate the question of whether a person should recite Birkat Ha'gomel after a failed suicide attempt, Heaven forbid, such as where a person swallowed deadly drugs and physicians rescued his life. The work Lev Haim (3:53; listen to audio recording for precise citation) rules that a failed suicide attempt is no different than any other life-threatening situation. Even though the individual himself is directly to blame for the situation, this has no bearing on the obligation of Birkat Ha'gomel. This Beracha, the Lev Haim argues, relates strictly to the person's deliverance from the danger, irrespective of the causes of that danger. Hence, even if a person brought danger upon himself, he nevertheless is obligated to recite Birkat Ha'gomel upon his rescue.
Hacham Ovadia Yosef, however, in his work Yehaveh Da'at (4:14), disagrees (listen to audio recording for precise citation). He contends that if a person who had the audacity to commit such a grievous act – attempting suicide – he must not then recite any Beracha associated with this act. It would thus be most inappropriate, Hacham Ovadia writes, to stand in the synagogue and recite a Beracha given the sinful context of this recitation. This is also the ruling of Rav Eliezer Waldenberg, in his work Sitz Eliezer.
Summary: A person who was bedridden for at least an entire day with an illness – even with a recurring condition, such as a migraine headache – recites Birkat Ha'gomel upon his recovery. A person who faints does not recite Birkat Ha'gomel upon regaining consciousness, unless it is determined that he fainted due to some internal condition, such as a weak heart. One does not recite Birkat Ha'gomel after a failed suicide attempt.
