Tell me more ×
Mi Yodeya is a question and answer site for those who base their lives on Jewish law and tradition and anyone interested in learning more. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 5 down vote favorite

The general practice is to make a bracha on the sky illuminating from lightning without actually seeing the bolt.

Does anyone know a source for this? Is this the most appropriate practice?

Also, can one make a bracha on a room illuminated from lightning from behind a curtain?

share|improve this question
Related: My friends an I once made a Brocho on "lightning" from a camera flash... – yydl Jun 23 '10 at 23:56
Why would y'all do that? It is not lightning. How can you call the result of man-made technology "maasei v'reishis"? – Yahu Jun 24 '10 at 4:44
I am not sure if your kidding, but I imagine he meant to illustrate the question by pointing out he made a mistake. – SimchasTorah Jun 24 '10 at 13:33
1  
Yeah. As YS said, we were in a bus, it was raining, and then someone took a picture. We thought it was actually lightning and made a Brocho... Then when in happened again, we identified the actual source. – yydl Jun 24 '10 at 18:32

1 Answer

up vote 2 down vote accepted

Sefer Piskei Teshuvos (227:3, footnote 13) brings a few sources that one does not need to see the actual bolt.

share|improve this answer
Shkoyach! For those w/o access, they are medayek from the lashon of "al habarakim" and it doesn't say "haroeh barak" like it does by all the other berachos. – YDK Jun 24 '10 at 15:28

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.