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1)Upon seeing beautiful trees, fields, an exceptionally beautiful person [, male or female,] or a beautiful animal the following Bracha is recited: Baruch Shekacha Lo B'Olamo- Blessed is the One Who has such [creations] in His world" (Shulchan Aruch Siman 225:10)
According to some Poskim this Bracha is no longer recited today's days, therefore it is best to recite this Bracha without Shem U'Malchus. (See Chayei Adam Klal 63:1, Mishna Berura 225:32 and Sha'ar HaTzion 225:33 where he writes the reason as it being very hard today's days to determine which creatures are extraordinarily more beautiful than others.)
This Bracha is never recited again, unless a more beautiful variety than the original sighting is seen. (Shulchan Aruch ibid.)
2) If the beautiful person seen is a non Jew (we are possibly referring here only to an idol worshipper, according to many Poskim), he/she may be looked at quickly and the Bracha recited, but one may not gaze and marvel at the beauty of an idol worshipper as doing so is a transgression of the biblical prohibition of "Lo Tichanem" (Devarim 7:2).
Incidentally, it is prohibited to verbally say about an idol worshipper that they are good looking or another compliment, due to the above transgression. (See Mishna Berura 225:33 quoting the Mogen Avraham based on the Talmud Avoda Zara 20a. See Sefer HaChinuch Mitzvah 426 and 427 and Minchas Chinuch there for a full treatment of the dos and don'ts in dealing with idol worshippers. There are exceptions to these rules, if for reasons of peace (Darchei Shalom) or for reasons benefitting the Jew. Also, it is debatable if these Halachos apply to all non Jews or just to idol worshippers, which aren't common today. The Bais Yosef Choshen Mishpat end of Siman 249 clearly states that these Halachos apply to all Non Jews, including Arabs, and not just to idol worshippers. The Rambam and other Rishonim seem to hold that this applies only to idol worshippers.
See Radak to Melachim I Perek 11:2. See also Shu"t Tzitz Eliezer Vol. 15 Siman 47. There is a lot more to write about this topic, but this isn't the proper time or place for it. For Halacha L'ma'aseh a Rav should be consulted.)
If the beautiful person is a female, a male may only recite the Bracha if he happened to see her, but he may not purposely look at her (or any other female) and surely it is prohibited to gaze or otherwise look at her for her beauty beyond the first chance glance. (See Biur Halacha Siman 225 Dibur Hamaschil Afilu. See also Mishna Berura Siman 75:7 regarding the strict prohibition of men looking at women)
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QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER:
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Todaywebsite.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
You mentioned that Al Hanisim is to be recited in the Birchas Hamazon[ on Chanukah], why not in the Al HaMichya [M'ein Shalosh] that is recited after cake, wine and such?
We insert for all other special days Shabbos, Rosh Chodesh, Yom Tov, but not Chanukah or Purim [ Al Hanisim ]. Why?
Answer:
Because we don't mention Hod'aah (Thanks) at all in Al HaMichya, thus there is no place for us to insert Al Hanisim, which is an addendum of Hoda'ah and not simply a Hazkarah (Mentioning) of the Yom.
(See Shu"t MaHaram Siman 30. His words are quoted in Hagahas Maimoni Hilchos Brachos Perek 3 Os 30. See also Bais Yosef Siman 208 Dibur Hamaschil "V'Tzarich L'Hazkir")
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Important Numbers
