Bombs, Terror, and Birkat Hagomel

Hi Rabbi, I am still in shock after having heard the news of the bombs that were set off last night while they were parked in the bus garage. One of these buses was the line which I generally take at nine o'clock in the morning. So my question is, do I recite the Hagomel blessing on Shabbat, thanking Hashem for having saved my life?

Thank you for your question.

For the benefit of our readers I will write first what story happened last night to Am Yisrael. Last night three busses exploded when they were parked in empty busstaions and another two bombs were found on two other busses what was discovered was that the arab terrorist were planning to set off the bombs with timers that were to explode at nine o’clock Friday morning when I understand that is the time you generally take the bus however miraculously they made a mistake and set the timers to nine o'clock the night before when the busses were empty sitting idel in the bus garage. It was truly a great miracle and one has to be thankful to Hashem for saving Am Yisrael and averting such a great tragedy.

The first question is does an aversion of a tragedy constitute being called a ‘miracle’?

This is considered a miracle since even things that we are saved from, are also considered miracles as it says in the Mishnah (Tractate Avot Perek 5) that there were ten miracles that happened to our forefathers in the Beis Hamikdash. For example, the lechem hapanim stayed fresh throughout the week and did not decay, the rain did not extinguish the fire of the mizbeach, the winds did not scatter the pillar of smoke that rose from the ketoret (incense), and there were no flies on the meat of the korbanot, etc. We see that all the miracles were things where everything went perfectly well and nothing happened to disturb the Avodat Beis Hamikdash, same too that what we were saved from such a catastrophe can definitely be called a miracle and a testimony to what we say every night in Kriat Shemah הנה אל ינום ולא ישן שומר ישראל - behold (Hashem) the guardian of Yisrael does not slumber or sleep.

Giving Charity:

So yes, we can consider what happened on Thursday night a miracle, therefore the Mishneh Berurah, Siman 218, Seif Katan, writes that since you have experienced a miracle, you should give charity to those studying Torah and to something that benefits the public.

Birchat Hagomel:

However, with regard to the halacha of reciting the Hagomel bracha, it is as follows. The bracha of Hagomel is originally for people who experienced one of these four dangers: 1. Sailed the sea, 2. A life-threatening illness, 3. Redeemed from jail, 4. Crossed the desert.

These are the general guidelines. However the Shulchan Aruch brings the following opinion.

שולחן ערוך אורח חיים הלכות ברכת הפירות סימן ריט סעיף ט

הני ארבעה לאו דווקא, דה"ה למי שנעשה לו נס, כגון שנפל עליו כותל, או ניצול מדריסת שור ונגיחותיו, או שעמד עליו בעיר אריה לטורפו, או אם גנבים באו לו אם שודדי לילה וניצול מהם וכל כיוצא בזה, כולם צריכים לברך הגומל; וי"א שאין מברכין הגומל אלא הני ארבעה דוקא, וטוב לברך בלא הזכרת שם ומלכות.

Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Laws of the Blessing on Fruits, Siman 219, Se'if 9:

These four (cases) are not specifically required (for reciting Hagomel), for the same applies to one who experienced a miracle, such as if a wall collapsed on him and he was saved, or if he was rescued from being trampled or gored by an ox, or if a lion stood over him in the city to devour him, or if robbers or thieves (at night) came upon him and he was saved from them. In all such cases, one must recite Hagomel.

However, some say that Hagomel is recited only for these four categories specifically, and it is good to recite it without mentioning Hashem's name and kingship (i.e., without saying "Hashem Elokeinu Melech Ha’olam").

The Mishneh Berurah says that the accepted halacha is like the first opinion.

What we learn from the above halacha is that the Shulchan Aruch states that only a miracle where one was in a situation of danger and was saved should one recite the Birkat Hagomel. However, in your case, as you weren't physically in any danger, you do not recite the Hagomel blessing.

Wishing you well.

Mishnah, Tractate Avot Perek 5

Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Laws of the Blessing, Siman 219, Se'if 9

Mishneh Berurah Ibid