Q. If you see a meteor shower what bracha do you make?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 227: 1) rules that on "zikim," which is described as a star like object that shoots across the sky and leaves a trail behind, one recites "Ose Maase Bereshis" or Praised be… the One that crafted the workings of creation. Shulchan Aruch adds than one may also recite "Shekocho Ugevuroso Male Olam" or "whose force and strength engulf the universe." Mishna Berura (ibid. 1) includes the opinion that seeing a comet is similar.
Piskei Teshuvos (ibid.) quotes the view of the Mor Uktzio that meteors can be very small grains of cosmic debris that burn up in the atmosphere and mostly disintegrate before hitting Earth's surface. Meteor Showers are predictable and common, since they mostly occur when Earth crosses the tail stream of debris dispersing from a comet.
Since they can only be appreciated in locations far from the reflection of city lights and when there is no Moon, Poskim maintain that it is not customary today to recite a complete brocho with Hashem's name over them. (Piskey Teshuvos ibid. quoting Shaarei Teshuvo and Shulachan Hatahor.) However, when observing clearly the more infrequent comets themselves or when the sky is dark and the effect and magnificence of the meteor shower can be truly appreciated, one should recite the above complete blessing.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is similar. However, he adds that you only recite the brocho when the meteor is a rock of size that actually hits the Earth's surface and can distinctly and prominently be seen as it crosses the sky. Likewise, you bless only when you witness a continuous and populated meteor shower, in which a number of meteors, albeit of small size but still clearly and prominently visible traverse simultaneously through the firmament and burn out.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
Important Numbers
