The Blessing said upon seeing a cemetery

Saying the blessing of Yatzar Eschem Badin:[1]

One who has not visited a cemetery [in thirty days] is to recite the following blessing upon seeing it:

ברוך אתה יי אלקינו מלך העולם אשר יצר אתכם בדין וזן אתכם בדין וכלכל אתכם בדין והמית אתכם בדין ויודע מספר כלכם והוא עתיד להחיותכם ולקיים אתכם בדין: ברוך אתה יי מחייה המתים:[2]

How often is the blessing recited?[3] All the blessings that are said over the sight of an item [i.e. Birchas Hareiyah], such as the blessing said over seeing a cemetery, is not to be repeated within thirty days of the previous sighting and subsequent blessing. The thirty days are counted starting from the day of sight [and blessing]. (For example, if he saw [the cemetery and said a blessing] on Sunday, then if he sees the item again on Tuesday four weeks later, he may say the blessing again.[4]) [Thus, the blessing may be repeated beginning from the 31st day from the original sighting. For example, if one visited the cemetery on the 1st of Marcheshvan and said the blessing, and then re-saw it again on the 30th of MarCheshvan, a blessing is not repeated. If however he saw it on the 2nd of Kisleiv, the blessing must be repeated.[5]]

If one saw a different cemetery within thirty days:[6] If one saw a different cemetery within thirty days of seeing the a previous cemetery and consequently recital of the blessing, then the blessing is not to be repeated.[7] [This applies even if the second cemetery is in a different city.[8]]

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[1] Seder Birchas Hanehnin 13/11; Alef Hamagen 581/109

[2] The following additional Nussach is added in Maaneh Lashon:

אתה גיבור לעולם אדני, מחיה מתים אתה, רב להושיע מכלכל חיים בחסד מחיה מתים ברחמים רבים, סומך נופלים, ורופא חולים, ומתיר אסורים, ומקים אמונתו לישני עפר. מי כמוך בעל גבורות ומי דומה לך, מלך ממית ומחייה ומצמיח ישועה: ונאמן אתה להחיות מתים.

[3] Seder 13/13; Luach 12/19; Michaber 224/13; Tur and Rosh; Tosafus Brachos 54a

[4] Admur Seder and Luach ibid in parentheses; Abudarham, brought in M”A 218/4; Elya Raba 218/2; Mateh Yehuda 224/2; Nimueki Orach Chaim 224

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that we do not include into the thirty days the day in which the original sighting and blessing took place. Accordingly, if the blessing was recited on Sunday, it may only be repeated on Wednesday, four weeks later. [M”A 218/4; Implication of Levush 218; Chayeh Adam 68/4; Aruch Hashulchan 218/5; Kaf Hachaim 218/12 that so rule Achronim; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 218/4]

[5] Luach ibid

[6] Admur Seder and Luach ibid; Mateh Yehuda ibid; Yad Eliyahu 30 based on M”A ibid, brought in Shaareiy Teshuvah 224/9; Pischeiy Teshuvah 224 in name of Amudei Or; Poskim in Kaf Hachaim 224/38; Implication of M”B 224/17; Nimueki Orach Chaim 224/4 “Safek Brachos Lihakel”

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule a blessing is recited upon seeing another grave. [Halachos Ketanos 1/112; Birkeiy Yosef 224/6 in name of Radaz 2/296 and Rav Avaraham Azulai; Beir Heiytiv 224/9; Shaareiy Teshuvah 224/9; Leket Yosher Y.D. p. 99; Orchos Chaim of Rav Avraham Halevi; Shulchan Hatahor 224/5; Kitzur SHU”A 60/12; Birchas Habayis 29/8; Aruch Hashulchan 224/8; Keren Ledavid 58; Yabia Omer 5/7; Beir Moshe 2/17; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 224/11 footnote 58]

[7] The reason: As all the corpses have the same status and all receive the same judgment. It is not similar to the honor of a king and wisdom of a Sage which differentiates between kings and Sages, and hence it suffices to recite one blessing each day. [Luach ibid; Yad Eliyahu ibid]

[8] Luach ibid

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