Someone Reciting HaGomel on Your Behalf
- Halacha Moment
- May 8
- 2 min read
The Daily Halacha Moment - Someone Reciting HaGomel on Your Behalf
״כל השונה הלכות בכל יום - מובטח לו שהוא בן העולם הבא״ (נידה עג ע״א, מגילה כח:)
“Anyone who studies Halachot every day is guaranteed that he is destined for the world-to-come” (Megilla 28b, Niddah 73a)
Question:
It is very common that after a holiday or event, many people in the shul need to recite the beracha of HaGomel due to traveling. However, can one person recite the beracha for everyone obligated?
Answer:
A person can fulfill their obligation to recite Birkat HaGomel by listening to someone else recite the blessing, provided that they hear the entire beracha from beginning to end. In such a case, hearing the full text with proper intent is considered equivalent to saying it oneself. However, this only applies if the individual reciting the beracha is personally obligated to say it. If the one making the blessing is not actually obligated, such as someone who recites it out of custom or on behalf of others without their own personal obligation, then the listener does not fulfill their obligation unless they respond with "Amen" at the end of the beracha. [1]
There is some halachic debate regarding whether a person can fulfill another's obligation if their reasons for reciting Birkat HaGomel are different. For example, one person may be reciting it after recovering from illness, while another may be obligated due to a journey or another cause. Some authorities express doubt as to whether the blessing can be shared in such cases, and they rule that ideally, one should only rely on another’s recitation if both individuals are obligated for the same reason. [2]
On the other hand, there are halachic opinions that take a broader approach, maintaining that as long as both individuals are genuinely obligated to recite Birkat HaGomel, regardless of the specific cause, one may fulfill the obligation on behalf of the other, and the listener may rely on the beracha. [3] We follow the latter opinion.
Sources:
[1]. Shulchan Aruch 219:4,5; Mishnah Berurah 219:12.
[2]. Hagahot Rabbi Akiva Eiger 219:5 leaves this question in doubt. Therefore, this situation should be avoided (see Piskei Teshuvot 219 note 90).
[3]. Yalkut Yosef (Otzer Dinim LeIsha pg 162-4).
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