Halachah 1 — Blessings Over Extraordinary Natural Phenomena
When a person sees remarkable creations of nature—such as lofty mountains, deep valleys, vast deserts, great rivers, or oceans—one recites a blessing praising God as the Performer of the work of Creation (Oseh ma’aseh bereishit).
This blessing is recited when the sight evokes awe at God’s creation.
Halachah 2 — Repeating the Blessing After Time Has Passed
If one sees the same natural phenomenon again within thirty days, the blessing is not repeated.
If thirty days have passed without seeing it, and one sees it again, the blessing is recited anew.
Halachah 3 — The Great Sea
Upon seeing the Great Sea (the Mediterranean), one recites a special blessing acknowledging God’s greatness.
As with other sights, the blessing is repeated only after a thirty‑day interval.
Halachah 4 — Thunder, Lightning, and Earthquakes
When experiencing thunder, lightning, or earth tremors, one recites a blessing recognizing God’s power and might filling the world.
Only one blessing is recited for a single sequence of events; repeated thunder or lightning within the same episode does not require additional blessings.
Halachah 5 — Seeing the Sun, Moon, and Stars
When seeing the sun, moon, stars, or constellations in their orderly courses, one recites a blessing praising God for the work of Creation and the fixed order of the universe.
These blessings are recited only when the celestial bodies are seen clearly, not through heavy cloud cover.
Halachah 6 — Blessings Over Great Torah Scholars
Upon seeing a great Torah sage, one recites a blessing acknowledging that God has granted wisdom to those who fear Him.
This blessing is recited only once per individual unless a significant amount of time has passed.
Halachah 7 — Blessings Over Secular Scholars
Upon seeing a great non‑Jewish scholar, one recites a blessing praising God for granting wisdom to human beings.
This reflects recognition that all true wisdom ultimately comes from God.
Halachah 8 — Blessings Over Kings and Rulers
When seeing a Jewish king, one recites a blessing acknowledging God, Who has shared His honor with those who fear Him.
When seeing a non‑Jewish king, one recites a blessing acknowledging God, Who has shared His honor with flesh and blood, so that one may discern the difference between earthly sovereignty and divine kingship.
Halachah 9 — Blessings Over Unusual Human Appearance
When seeing a person with an exceptionally unusual appearance—whether strikingly beautiful or physically unusual—one recites a blessing acknowledging that God alters His creations.
This blessing is recited only once for each individual.
Halachah 10 — Purpose of These Blessings
All these blessings were instituted so that a person:
- recognizes God’s presence in the world,
- responds to awe, wonder, and power with praise,
- and does not encounter remarkable aspects of creation indifferently or habitually.
Core Principle of the Chapter
This chapter teaches that seeing itself can be an act of worship.
By instituting blessings over extraordinary sights—of nature, humanity, wisdom, and power—the Sages ensured that awe is transformed into conscious recognition of the Creator.
