Berakhot 9:2 Halakhah: Mishneh Torah, Blessings

עַל הַזִּיקִין, וְעַל הַזְּוָעוֹת, וְעַל הַבְּרָקִים, וְעַל הָרְעָמִים, וְעַל הָרוּחוֹת, אוֹמֵר בָּרוּךְ שֶׁכֹּחוֹ וּגְבוּרָתוֹ מָלֵא עוֹלָם. עַל הֶהָרִים, וְעַל הַגְּבָעוֹת, וְעַל הַיַּמִּים, וְעַל הַנְּהָרוֹת, וְעַל הַמִּדְבָּרוֹת, אוֹמֵר בָּרוּךְ עוֹשֵׂה מַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר, הָרוֹאֶה אֶת הַיָּם הַגָּדוֹל אוֹמֵר בָּרוּךְ שֶׁעָשָׂה אֶת הַיָּם הַגָּדוֹל, בִּזְמַן שֶׁרוֹאֶה אוֹתוֹ לִפְרָקִים. עַל הַגְּשָׁמִים וְעַל הַבְּשׂוֹרוֹת הַטּוֹבוֹת אוֹמֵר בָּרוּךְ הַטּוֹב וְהַמֵּטִיב, וְעַל שְׁמוּעוֹת רָעוֹת אוֹמֵר בָּרוּךְ דַּיַּן הָאֱמֶת:

Over zikkim [stars which seem to open the firmament and which dart like an arrow from place to place; or else, a star which seems to have a long tail], and zevaoth [when the earth trembles and rumbles], and lightnings and re'amim [sounds heard in the firmament from clouds pouring water into each other, viz. (Jeremiah 10:13): "To the sound of His pouring hoards of water in the heavens"], and over winds [which blow tempestuously and which occur only occasionally], he says: "Blessed is He whose power and might fill the world." [And if he wishes he says: "Blessed is He who makes the creation," all of these being acts of creation, viz. (Psalms 135:7): "He made lightnings for the rain." But over mountains and hills, etc., he says "Who makes the creation," specifically; for he cannot say: "Whose power and might fill the world," these not being seen in all the world, but each in its own place.] Over mountains, hills, seas, rivers, and deserts, he says: "Blessed is He who makes the creation." R. Yehudah says: If he sees the great ocean [Oceanus, which surrounds the world], he says: "Blessed is He who made the great ocean" [it being accorded a blessing in itself because of its vastness and significance.] This is so when he sees it upon occasion [after thirty days]. Over rains and good reports, he says: "Baruch hatov vehametiv" ("Blessed is He who is good and does good") [This is so when he has land in common with another, the implication being: "who is good (to him) and does good (to others)"; but if he has no land at all, he says: "We thank You, O L-rd our G-d, for every drop that You brought down for us, etc." And if he has land by himself, he blesses: "shehecheyanu."], and over bad tidings he says: "Baruch dayan ha'emeth" ("Blessed is the true Judge").

Mishneh Torah, Blessings

On hearing good news, one says, "Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who art good, and doest good." On hearing evil tidings, one says, "Blessed be the true judge." A person has to bless God with good will, for ill fortune, just as he has to bless Him with joy for good fortune, as it is said "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, with all thy soul and with all thy might." (Deuteronomy 6:5). In the abounding love of God enjoined upon us, it is implied that even in distress, one should thank and praise Him with joy.
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