Does a Stopover Require Saying Birkat HaGomel?

Hi, I’m planning to travel from Israel to America. I’ll be in New York over the weekend and then continue on to Los Angeles. How many times should I say the HaGomel blessing? Do I need to say it when I arrive in New York, or is it enough to say it when I reach my final destination in Los Angeles? If the answer is yes, then on my return flight, I have a stopover in New York for a few hours, would that be considered a stop that requires saying HaGomel again?

Thank you for your question.

The Answer:

On your outward journey, you should recite Birkat HaGomel when you arrive in New York, and then recite it again when you arrive in Los Angeles. On your return journey, you say it when you arrive in Eretz Yisrael.

The Answer Explained:

It is brought in the Shulchan Aruch, Siman 219, as follows:

משנה ברורה על שולחן ערוך אורח חיים הלכות ברכת הפירות סימן ריט סעיף א
 (א) כשעלו ממנה – ודוקא כשעלו ממנה לגמרי, ואין בכלל זה מה שעומדים עם הספינה כשבאה לנמל והאנשים שבה יורדים ליבשה ליום או ליומיים או עד שתגיע זמן הספינה לילך הלאה – דבזה אין מברכין, דאכתי לא ניצול מן הסכנה לגמרי. וה"ה בהולכי מדבריות ובדרך הליכתם עוברים דרך איזה עיר – גם כן אין מברכין.

Mishnah Berurah on Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Laws of the Blessing on Fruits, Siman 219, Se’if 1:

“…This does not include a case where people are still aboard a ship that has arrived at port and the passengers disembark for a day or two until the time comes for the ship to continue its journey — in such a case, they do not recite the blessing, since they have not yet been completely saved from danger. The same applies to those traveling through deserts: if, along the way, they pass through a city, they also do not recite the blessing.”

We see from the above Mishnah Berurah that a person only recites Birkat HaGomel after arriving at their final destination. The Mishnah Berurah adds in the Sha’ar HaTziyun that this includes even stops that last a few days.

So, one could say that, according to this, even on your way to Los Angeles you would not have to recite HaGomel when you stop over in New York, since it is not your final destination.

However, lehalacha, we say that there is still a difference between the case in the Mishnah Berurah and your case. As I understand it, the stopover in New York is actually part of your itinerary — it’s part of your vacation, to tour the city. Therefore, it can also be called a “destination.” Whereas the case of the Mishnah Berurah refers to a stop made simply to refuel or restock the ship with food. Even if someone were to go out and tour the city in such a case, it would not be considered a final destination, but rather just a stop along the way. Therefore, one would only be obligated to recite HaGomel upon reaching their final destination.

There is some discussion among the poskim about how long one must stay in a place to be considered a “destination.” Lehalacha, HaGaon Harav Amram Fried שליט"א says that as since you planned to stay in New York, you would need to recite Hagomel.

Return Flight:
On your return flight, it is exactly like the case brought in the Mishnah Berurah above. Therefore, the stopover in New York is considered part of your onward journey, and only when you arrive in Eretz Yisrael may you recite the HaGomel blessing.

I would like to share with you the meaning of the bracha of HaGomel, which is:

“HaGomel LeChayavim Tovot” – Hashem, who bestows kindness even to those who are undeserving (even the wicked),
 “Sheg’malani Kol Tov” – Like he has bestowed upon me all good, even though I too am not deserving.

There is also a discussion about how to pronounce the word “Tov” – is it tuv (with a shuruk) or tov (with a cholam)?

Lehalacha, Le'chatchillah we say that the one reciting the blessing should say "tov", as in:
“Sheg’malani kol tov.”

Whereas those responding should say "tuv":
 “Mi sheg’malch kol tuv, hu yigmolch kol tuv, selah.”

However, Be'dieved either way one is Yo'tseh.

Wishing you a safe trip!

1.      Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 219:1

2.      Mishnah Berurah 219:1

3.      Sha’ar HaTziyun 219:4

4.      Psak of HaGaon HaRav Amram Fried שליט״א