Q. Dear Rov, I reside in Mexico City were the Rav Shlit’a was Chief Rabbi for many years. Earthquakes are very common in our city, sometimes small ones are felt more that once a day. Does one have to make a bracha when he feels them?
A. Mexico City is no stranger to earthquakes. In fact, the country trembles almost every day. This is because the west coast of Mexico is located along the so-called “Ring of Fire:” a horseshoe shape that curves around the edges of the Pacific Ocean.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that as similar to the brocho recited on lightening and thundering, that is recited only when it is strong and imposing.
As the Talmud (Brachos 59a) teaches: “Thunder was created only in order to straighten the crookedness of the heart.” As few other natural phenomena can do, thunder wakes us up and reminds us we have an all-powerful Hashem, and to give us that occasional wake-up call. The same should apply to the blessing on earthquakes
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
Important Numbers
