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SPECIAL DOUBLE PORTION L'KAVOD SHABBOS KODESH

Halachos for Erev Shabbos Kodesh

1) The Bracha upon seeing a place where a miracle was performed is only recited when the actual site is seen (e.g. when the waters of the red sea are seen, as seeing the water conjures up the details of the miracle)

However, if only the general area of the site was seen, but the actual spot where the miracle occurred isn't seen, the Bracha is not recited.  (See Mishna Berura Siman 218:7)

If one isn't clear as to the exact location of the miracle, the Bracha should be recited in the general vicinity without Shem U'Malchus. (Kaf HaChaim 218:4)

However, even when only seeing the general area of the miracle, it is still praiseworthy to thank Hashem in your own words, without uttering the text of the Bracha.

2) When seeing a place where a miracle was performed for a well known personage, who is recognized by all or most of Klal Yisroel, the Bracha is recited as if it was a place where a miracle was performed for the entire Jewish nation.

Likewise, an individual who experienced a personal salvation, and through it a public Kiddush Hashem was facilitated, a Bracha is recited when seeing the site of their miracle. (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 218:7, Mishna Berura S"K 23 and 24 and Biur Halacha Dibur Hamaschil Al Nes and Dibur Hamaschil L'Fikach)

The text recited for the aforementioned Brachos is "Baruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech HaOlam SheAsah Nes L'Tzadikim (or "L'Tzadik Ploni" or simply" L'Ploni") B'Makom HaZeh- Blessed Are You Hashem, Our G-d, Master of the world Who performed a miracle for the righteous (or "for this righteous person" or "for this individual") in this place" (Mishna Berura 218:25. See also Sha'ar HaTziyun S"K 21)

Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh

1) When someone R"L loses a parent [or another close relative], the following Bracha is recited: "Baruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech HaOlam Dayan HaEmes- Blessed Are You Hashem, our G-d, Master of the world, the true judge".

This Bracha is also recited upon the passing of other people, even if they aren't relatives, if the news of their death causes distress. The prevalent custom, however,  in those instances is to recite the Bracha without Shem U'Malchus and simply say "Baruch Dayan HaEmes"

Upon hearing of the passing of a Talmid Chacham the Bracha should also be recited. Here too the prevalent Minhag has become to recite it without Shem U'malchus. (See Mishna Berura Siman 223:8 where he writes that this custom of saying it without Shem U'Malchus, especially when hearing of the passing of a Talmid Chacham, is not a right custom. See Halichos Shlomo Perek 23, Dvar Halacha 41 where he writes that although it isn't the custom, if one is intensely distressed at the passing of the individual he may indeed recite it with Shem U'Malchus)

2) If upon the death of one's father he is the lone person who receives an inheritance, the Bracha of "SheHechiyanu" is recited after the Bracha of 'Dayan HaEmes". (Even though, of course, he would rather his father still be alive and not get the inheritance, still the fact that he received new assets albeit via a sad method, the Bracha is recited. See Mishna Berura 223:9. See also Shu"t Shevet Haleivi Vol. 8 Siman 35:2. Some Poskim maintain that this SheHechiyanu is not recited at all. See Shu"t Teshuvos V'Hanhagos Vol. 2 Siman 140 where he gives reasons why many people do not recite this Bracha)

The same applies to one whose wife R"L dies and leaves behind her own money as an inheritance for him. (Mishna Berura 223:10)

If he is sharing the inheritance with other heirs, in place of SheHechiyanu, the Bracha of "HaTov V'hameitiv" is recited (as we have learned a while back that SheHechiyanu is for a personal Simcha and HaTov V'Hameitiv is for a shared Simcha. See Mishna Berura ibid.)

Tam V'Nishlam Hilchos Birchos HaHoda'ah B'Rov Shevach L'Keil HaHoda'os.

 With this we have come to the end of the Halachos of thanks to Hashem as well as to the end of our voyage into the sea of Halachos of the many different Brachos that a Jew recites throughout his/her day and life.

With the help of Hashem, our Father, King and Rock of Strength, we shall begin a brand new topic on Sunday: Halachos of Keeping a Kosher Kitchen and beyond.

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