Q. Re - question 10 that; Harav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a is of the opinion that if someone is indeed in a car that spins out on the highway and miraculously does not get hit by another car, he does not recite this Brocho, however if he did hit the guardrail and there was damage done to the vehicle he should bless Hagomel.
This is interesting because Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein of Eretz Yisroel recently ruled that someone who was falsely searched by police in an intensive manner that lasted long enough for him to miss his flight; a flight that subsequently crashed with no survivors, is obligated to recite HaGomel.
At the same time, it is said in the name of the Satmar Rav, that one does not need to recite HaGomel for such an incident, for if one did, he would need to recite it every week to thank HaShem that he was not in his trousers when his wife ironed them. What is Rav Miller's opinion in the case of Rav Zilberstein?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a disagrees with Horav Zilberstein's Shli'a ruling and maintains (as in question 10) that since he did not board the ill-fated plane, he is exempt of reciting hagomel.
However, the Rov recommends that other Tehilim such as Hodu Lashem (Psalms 107) should be recited. (see question 370). Also a kiddush or similar, accompanied by corresponding words of Torah may be offered as a seudas hodoa, a meal of thanksgiving to Hashem.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
Important Numbers
