Rabbi's Musings

A few weeks ago, some visitors to the synagogue on Friday night had just endured a difficult plane ride marked by a lot of turbulence. Upon arriving after services were over, they wanted to go to the sanctuary and recite a prayer of thanksgiving. This is an old Jewish tradition. It is called “Benching Gomel” and it refers to the recitation of the Birkat HaGomel, a Jewish blessing of gratitude said publicly in the synagogue, typically after being saved from danger or surviving a significant ordeal. Here is the blessing:

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, ha-gomel la-chayavim tovot, she-g’malani kol tov.
Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the Universe, who bestows good even upon the undeserving, and has bestowed so much good upon me.

The congregation responds:

Mi she-g’malcha kol tov, Hu yig’malcha kol tov, selah.
May the One who rewarded you with all goodness continue to bestow upon you every good forever.

Birkat HaGomel is traditionally said after an aliyah to the Torah, following recovery or survival from one of these four situations (Talmud, Berakhot 54b):

1. Dangerous illness – after recovering from serious illness or surgery.
2. Travel at sea – traditionally, but often extended to any long or dangerous travel.
3. Imprisonment – upon release from captivity or jail.
4. Crossing a desert – metaphorically extended to surviving other life-threatening experiences (e.g., car accident, childbirth).
    

The prayer is traditionally

• said within 3 days of the event, if possible.
• recited in the presence of a minyan.
• one typically receives an aliyah (is called to the Torah) and says the blessing immediately after the Torah reading.

In modern times, the prayer can be said after any traumatic incident. It is a way of acknowledging the trauma but also accepting that we are not in control of what happens to us. Being grateful despite this lack is not easy, but it can lead to acceptance and healing.