Sorry for the incorrect spelling but can someone explain the laws around benching after returning home from a long trip?

Thanks

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Rabbi Mitterhoff,

The basic law as brought in the Shulchan Aruch, Siman 219, is that 4 people have to "bench" [bless] Hagomel: 1. Those who cross the sea upon reaching their destination; 2. Those who cross a desert upon reaching a settlement; 3. Those who are ill and have recovered; and 4. Those who have been released from prison.

The Shulchan Aruch adds that this list is not exhaustive, and anyone who has been rescued from danger should bench Hagomel.

It should be recited in the presence of a Minyan [10 adult males] and, ideally, within 3 days. For more than 3 days, one should ask one's Rav.

There is dicussion among contemporary Poskim [Rabbinical Decisors of the Halacha] as to whether Hogomel should be benched after (say) a plane journey. HaRav Moshe Feinstein wrote that it should, as the plane passes over the sea and, but for the floor of the plane, one would be in the water.

Others (including, I believe, HaRav Moshe Sternbuch) maintain that flying nowadays is so safe that it is not considered that one's life was ever in danger.

There are many more details of this Halacha which I don't have time to bring here. But these are the basics anyway.

quote:

Hogomel

Thanks for the reply. Can it be said at Mincha or does it need to be done while leining?

I think it can only be done by Leining and its only when one flies overseas that the bracha has to be said

It is usually done at Leining, although many women do it by just gathering together a Minyan.

As to it only being recited if you fly overseas, see my previous message. Not only are you incorrect in the "only" bit, but there are, as I mentioned, authorities who hold that as flying is so safe, you cannot recite Hagomel after a flight.

^^^^^Im not talking about in general - only if u go on a flight overseas one has to recite the brachah but if its a little domestic flight - kol tuv!

And what if your flight takes you over (say) the Mojave desert?

It is also said if one is miracuously saved, as in, for example, a very bad car accident, by the grace of Hashem.

I just looked up the wording of the bracha, and was surprised: ... Who bestows good things upon the guilty, Who has bestowed every goodness upon me. Does anyone know why we say on the guilty?

The Pischei Teshuva on the Shulchan Aruch says it means "Even those who are guilty, You (Hashem) deal with them kindly, and also me, even though I am not such a good person, nevertheless You have dealt kindly with me."

quote:

Originally posted by sam-:
It is also said if one is miracuously saved, as in, for example, a very bad car accident, by the grace of Hashem.

I have seen gabaim who will give you a hard time on this one.
A.S.

Well they'd be wrong, because the Shulchan Aruch clearly states that being rescued from any situation of danger warrants benching Gomel.

Thank you Stephen.

quote:

Originally posted by laurence shore:

quote:

Originally posted by sam-:
It is also said if one is miracuously saved, as in, for example, a very bad car accident, by the grace of Hashem.

I have seen gabaim who will give you a hard time on this one.
A.S.

I dont think that the gabbaim should be asked - rather the Rabbi. In any case the gabbaim who DO give a hard time are in the minority, and where there are locations where you can purchase the aliyah's that's even better - then it is the money involved and what gabbai will argue then?