The Procedure for Reciting Birkat Ha’gomel

Daily Halacha Podcast - Daily Halacha By Rabbi Eli J. Mansour

The blessing of Birkat Ha'gomel (which one recites after emerging from a situation of danger) must be recited in the presence of ten people. The authorities debate the question of whether one must repeat the Beracha if he recited it when ten people were not present. The Shulhan Aruch applies to this case the famous rule of "Safek Berachot Le'hakel," which means that one should not recite a Beracha in situations of uncertainty. One who mistakenly recited Birkat Ha'gomel while not in the presence of ten people therefore should not repeat the Beracha in the presence of ten people. Preferably, if he finds somebody who will be reciting the Beracha in the presence of ten people, then he should listen to the Beracha and have the person reciting the Beracha have in mind to fulfill his obligation, as well. Alternatively, he can repeat the Beracha in the presence of ten people but omit the phrase, "Hashem Elokenu Melech Ha'olam." Preferably, at least two Torah scholars should be present for the recitation of Birkat Ha'gomel. It is uncertain whether these two scholars should be among or in addition to the ten people – that is, whether there should be ten in addition to the scholars, or ten including the scholars. In any event, when possible, one should arrange to recite Birkat Ha'gomel in front of a group that includes at least two Torah scholars. However, one should not delay Birkat Ha'gomel for this purpose. If a person is in the synagogue with a Minyan but no Torah scholars are present, he should recite Birkat Ha'gomel despite the absence of Torah scholars, rather than delay the recitation to another day. One should recite Birkat Ha'gomel while standing, and the people listening should preferably be seated. The verse (Tehilim 107:32) speaks of praising God for one's salvation "Be'moshab Zekenim," which literally means, "among the sitting elders," implying that the people in whose presence one recites the Beracha should be sitting. After the individual recites Birkat Ha'gomel, the people listening answer "Amen" and then respond, "Mi She'gemalach Kol Tub Hu Yigmulcha Kol Tub Sela." This means, "He who has granted you all kindness shall [continue to] grant you all kindness." The Ben Ish Hai (Rabbi Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909) writes that after the congregation answers with this response, the individual should then say, "Amen Ken Yehi Rason," expressing his wish that their prayer for him shall be fulfilled. Summary: Birkat Ha'gomel must be recited in the presence of ten people. If ten people were not present at the time of Birkat Ha'gomel, one nevertheless does not repeat the Beracha. It is preferable to have Torah scholars present for Birkat Ha'gomel, but the Beracha should not be delayed for this purpose. During the recitation, the individual reciting the Beracha should be standing and the audience should be sitting.