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Someone who has escaped danger says: “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who bestows good (Ha-gomel) on the unworthy, Who has bestowed on me much good.” In this blessing, we thank God for being kind to us and saving us, despite our sins which render us unworthy of salvation.
The following people must recite Ha-gomel:
- Someone who has returned from a dangerous sea journey.
- Someone who has returned from a dangerous desert crossing.
- Someone who has recovered from a dangerous illness.
- Someone who has been freed from a dangerous or lengthy imprisonment.
These four are not exclusive. Women recite Ha-gomel after giving birth, since it is somewhat dangerous even today. A soldier who has completed a dangerous mission should recite Ha-gomel as well. However, Ha-gomel is not recited by minors (a boy under 13 or a girl under 12), as their parents are responsible for their safety.
Ha-gomel is recited in the presence of a minyan. It is preferable to recite it in the synagogue during the Torah reading.
Those who have miraculously survived a life-threatening danger (for example, a building fell on them and they were dug out from the rubble, or they were shot multiple times), and later visit the place where the miracle happened, recite: “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who performed a miracle for me in this place.”
