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...
The Laws of Karpas
Passover- How Much Wine Must One Drink for the Four Cups at the Seder?
Passover- If a Woman Recited "She'hecheyanu" at Candle Lighting, Does She Answer "Amen" to Her Husband's Recitation at Kiddush in the Seder?
Changing To ‘Morid Hatal” on the First Day of Pesach; Conducting a "Se'udat Ester" on the Second Day of Pesach
Passover- Using Specifically "Matza Shemura" at the Seder
Is It Permissible To Do Laundry On Hol HaMoed
Passover- Is It Permissible To Lean, Talk, or Drink During The Seder
Passover- The Third and Fourth Cups of Wine at the Seder
Passover- Is It Permissible For A Girl To Recite A Solo of The Ma Nishtana
Passover- Preparing For The 2nd Seder and Yom Tov Sheni
Passover- Is It Permissible To Drink Milk On Pesach From A Goy Owned Cow Which Consumed Hametz On Pesach
Passover- How Much Flour Is Required For Hallah or Matza
Changing To, and If One Forgets To Recite "Morid Ha'tal"
Passover- If One Mistakenly Used A Hametz Pot On Pesach
Passover- Is It Required To Make Bedikat (Searching For) Hametz in One's Vehicle.wma
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found