Birkat HaGomel: Giving Thanks After Survival
The Jewish prayer, “Birkat HaGomel,” is traditionally recited after one has survived a dangerous journey or recovered from a serious illness or accident. During the days of the Temple, it was obligatory to bring a thanksgiving offering before God when one survived a life-threatening situation. Today, Birkat HaGomel is said as a proclamation of gratitude and in remembrance of the sacrifice.
Giving Thanks in the Scriptures
In the Brit Chadasha, as Yeshua passes by a village, 10 lepers cry out to him, begging for mercy and healing. Yeshua instructs them to show themselves to the priests, an action that only healed lepers would take to confirm the clearing of leprosy. Then, they would offer sacrifices to be cleansed and return to society. Although still leprous, the lepers follow Yeshua’s command and are miraculously healed as they are on their way.
However, only one leper, a Samaritan, returns to thank Yeshua:
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Yeshua answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:15-19)
Often, we pray earnestly to God for healing and protection, but how often do we thank Him afterwards? This story reminds us that it’s just as important to thank God for healing as it is to pray for healing (or for protection). The Birkat HaGomel blessing is one great way to thank God after recovering from sickness or surviving danger.
When to Recite Birkat HaGomel
The Birkat Hagomel blessing originated in the Talmud, and is recited for a variety of situations. These occasions include being freed from jail, recovering from a serious illness, traveling at sea or through the desert (which were both dangerous journeys), giving birth to a child, and surviving a mortal danger.
Similarly, Psalm 107 describes an array of difficult situations, such as imprisonment, slavery, fatal sickness, and a dangerous sea voyage, in which people cry out to God and experience His deliverance and healing. The psalm calls on people to remember to thank God by declaring His wonderful works and offering sacrifices of thanksgiving:
“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare His works with rejoicing.” (Psalm 107:19-22)
Although there is no Temple and we cannot offer sacrifices today, we can praise God with our words, as Hebrews 13:15 reminds us:
“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”
Psalm 107 also encourages us to praise God publicly in the assembly for His protection and answers to prayer:
“He calms the storm, So that its waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven. Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people, And praise Him in the company of the elders.” (Psalm 107:29-32)
Similarly, the Birkat Hagomel blessing is often recited at a synagogue once the Torah has been read and in the presence of a minyan. Let us remember to praise God publicly after He answers our prayers!
Birkat HaGomel Blessing
Below is the Hebrew text for Birkat HaGomel as well as the English translation:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַגּוֹמֵל לְחַיָּבִים טוֹבוֹת, שֶׁגְּמָלַנִי כָּל טוּב
Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha’olam hagomel l’chayavim tovot, sheg’malani kol tuv
Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the world, who rewards the undeserving with goodness, and who has rewarded me with goodness.
After the recitation of this blessing, the congregation responds:
אָמֵן. מִי שֶׁגְּמָלְךָ כָּל טוּב, הוּא יִגְמָלְךָ כָּל טוּב סֶּלָה
Amen. Mi Sheg’malcha kol tuv, Hu yig’malcha kol tuv selah
May he who rewarded you with all goodness reward you with all goodness forever.
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Glossary
Adonai (אֲדֹנָי) means “Lord” and is commonly used in Jewish reading and prayer as a reverent way to refer to God.
Amen (אָמֵן) means “truly” or “let it be so” and is said as an affirmation of faith, agreement, and trust in God.
Brit Chadasha (בְּרִית חֲדָשָׁה) means “New Covenant” and refers both to God’s promised covenant of renewal in Jeremiah 31 and to the New Testament writings.
Minyan (מִנְיָן) means “count” and refers to the quorum of ten men traditionally required for certain Jewish prayers.
Synagogue (beit knesset בֵּית כְּנֶסֶת) is a Jewish place of prayer, study, and community gathering.
Talmud (תַּלְמוּד) means “study” or “learning” and refers to a collection of rabbinic discussions, teachings, laws, stories, and interpretations of the Hebrew Scriptures and discussions of applying God’s commandments to daily life
Torah (תּוֹרָה) means “instruction” or “teaching” and often refers especially to the Five Books of Moses. Psalm 119:1 reminds us that those who walk in God's Torah are blessed.
Yeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ) is the Hebrew name of Jesus, meaning "salvation"
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