 |
 |
||||||||||
 |
Back to Question of the Week Q: If a person has medical testing done and the tests turn out well (that is, no medical problem turns up), is there a blessing that may or should be recited? Ellen |
||||||||||
|
 |
A: Ellen, There is a tradition that suggests that when one survives a life-threatening situation, they should offer a special blessing of thanksgiving to God. This blessing is referred to as Gomel, and the offering of this blessing is often referred to by the Yiddish expression, to 'bentsh' (bless) Gomel. This tradition is based on Psalm 107, which is a Psalm of thanksgiving that is often said in its entirety by those who have been delivered from danger. In a discussion about Psalm 107 in the Talmud (Berachot 54) , the Sages determined that there are four categories of people who are obligated to give thanks: 1) one who has crossed a desert (completed a land journey), 2) one who has returned from a sea journey, 3) one who has been released from captivity, and 4) one who has recovered from a threatening illness. Today the blessing is generally said by anyone who feels they have been delivered from a threat. Certainly, under category number 4, your situation would apply, especially if the tests were done out of concern for a grave illness. The blessing is to be said in the presence of a minyan (the quorum of ten required for a worship service). Therefore it is usually said in the Synagogue, during the morning service, on a day when the Torah is read. Gomel is usually recited following the second Aliyah (call up) to the Torah, following the Torah blessing. The text of the blessing is: |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||||
|
Barukh Attah Adonai, Eloheinu Melelk Ha-Olam, Ha-Gomel l'khayavim tovot sheg'malani kol tov. Blessed are You, our Eternal, Ruler of the Universe, who bestows goodness on the guilty, and who has bestowed every goodness on me. The congregation will then respond:
Mi Sheg'mal'kha (m.) [or shegmalaych (f.)] tov Hu yig'mal'kha [or yigmalaych (f.)] kol tov, Selah. May the One who has bestowed goodness on you, bestow every goodness upon you forever. This text of Gomel can be found in most traditional siddurim (prayerbooks). I hope this helps, and I wish you every goodness. JDC
|
|||||||||||
 |
[Home] [Lobby] [Library] [Classroom] [Office] [Lounge] [Gift Shop] Kolel: The Adult Centre for Liberal Jewish Learning
|
 |
|
|
|||
