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...
In the Event One Does Not Have Pre-Cut Tissues in the Restroom on Shabbat
Is It Permissible to Make Ice Cubes on Shabbat
May a Non-Jew Carry from the Synagogue on Shabbat to a House for a Seuda?
Is It Permissible To Hold Dog Leash or Allow Dogs To Wear Tags on Shabbat
Hiring a Hazan, Ba’al Keri’a or Ba’al Teki’a for Shabbat or Yom Tob
Receiving Compensation for Work Done on Shabbat-2
Receiving Compensation for Work Done on Shabbat
Renting Hotel Rooms to non-Jews for Shabbat
May One Remove a Mukse Item from the Shabbat Table?
The Mukse Status of Tefillin on Shabbat
May One Continue to Handle a Mukse Item After It Was Already Picked Up?
Is it Permissible to Move Utensils and Furniture Without a Reason on Shabbat?
Is It Permissible to Use A Mukse Type Item on Shabbat To Perform A Permissible Function
Is It Permissible on Shabbat in the Public Domain to Carry a Child Who Refuses to Walk?
Is It Permissible to Read Documents and Letters on Shabbat?
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found