DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 1.18 MB)
The Beracha on Seeing the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean

The Mishna in the last chapter of Masechet Berachot teaches that upon seeing rivers, one recites the Beracha, "Oseh Ma'aseh Bereshit"(Maker of Creation). Rabbi Yehuda says that upon seeing the "Yam HaGadol" (the great sea), one recites, "She'asah Et HaYam HaGadol" (Who Made the Great Sea).

The question is what the "Yam HaGadol" refers to. Maran, in 228:1, based on Rabbenu Yonah, states that it refers to the waters that flow between Israel and Egypt, i.e. the Mediterranean Sea. This is how the Mishna Berura understands Maran, as well. The commentaries explain that while the Mediterranean may not be the largest body of water, but because it's connected to Eres Yisrael, it becomes "Great" by association.

Accordingly, one who has not seen the Mediterranean within thirty days should recite the Beracha with Hashem's name. However, the Bet Yosef cites the Teshubot HaRosh who understands that "Yam HaGadol" refers to the "Oceanus," meaning the Atlantic Ocean.

Thus, there is a Machloket whether this Beracha applies to the Mediterranean. Because of this Safek (uncertainty), Hacham David rules that when seeing the Mediterranean, one should incorporate both Berachot by saying, "Baruch Atah Hashem Elohenu Melech HaOlam SheAsah Et HaYam HaGadol-Oseh Ma'aseh Bereshit." Even if the Mediterranean is not the Yam HaGadol, it is no worse than seeing other rivers, whose Beracha is "Oseh Ma'aseh Bereshit." If it is Yam HaGadol, the correct Beracha was said. If it's not the Yam HaGadol, then the correction was made "Toch K'deh Dibur"-immediately. This circumvents the problem of Safek Berachot.
According to this, if one sees the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea simultaneously, e.g. from Gibraltar, there is no Safek, as one of them is certainly the Yam HaGadol. In that case, the Beracha of "SheAsah Et HaYam HaGadol could be made with Hashem's name.

Those who live on the East Coast of the United States who see the Atlantic Ocean, even when driving, within a thirty day period, do not recite a Beracha.

SUMMARY

One who sees the Mediterranean Sea for the first time in thirty days, recites the Beracha: "SheAsah Et HaYam HaGadol-Oseh Ma'aseh Bereshit."


 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Cases Where One Eats a Fruit Followed by a Food Which Requires "Ha'etz" According to Some Authorities
Reciting a Beracha Before Eating Shells or Peels
Reciting a Beracha Before Drinking Olive Oil
Reciting a Beracha Before Eating a Lemon
Holding The Talet When Reciting The Beracha
May One Recite Netliat Yadayim In Shul If He Forgot But Washed At Home
Can One Recite Boreh Nefashot If He Does Not Have The Ability To Say Meen Shalosh When Required
Is One Permitted To Recite Birkat Ha’levana or Asher Yatzar For A Friend If The Friend Answers Amen
Does One Recite a Beracha Before Smelling a Lemon?
The Order of Beracha Rishona When Eating a Mezonot, Etz, and Adama
What is The Beracha on Rice with Vegetables and When Eating Apples with Bananas
The Beracha Recited Upon Seeing a Rainbow
Is It Proper For Sephardim To Make HaMotzih on Shabbat on Halah That Contains Strong Sweeteners
Reciting Birkat Ha'gomel When Experiencing Temporary Relief From a Chronic Illness, Upon Being Saved From Drowning, and After Parachuting
Reciting Birkat Ha'levana When a Thin Cloud Covers the Moon
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found