(JNi.media) Say what you will about Jewish journalism, it always manages to wrest a smattering of religious meaning out of every story. A case in point is the approaching release of legendary spy Jonathan Pollard, after 30 years in prison.
A recent ultra-Orthodox publication titled “Divrei Siach” (Heb: Talks), included a halachic inquiry addressed to Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, a leading authority in Haredi Jewish society, on whether Pollard would be obligated to make the ‘Hagomel’ blessing upon his release.
During Temple times, a Jew who survived a potentially life-threatening situation brought an offering of thanksgiving, to express their gratitude to God. Nowadays, we replace the offering with a public proclamation of gratitude to God.
A survivor of a life threatening incident stands up in a gathering with a quorum of ten men, and recites: “Blessed are You, God, King of the universe, who bestows goodness upon the accountable, for bestowing every goodness upon me.”
The Congregation then responds: “Amen, He who has bestowed goodness upon you, may bestow every goodness upon you.”
However, since religious Jews are concerned about taking the name of God in vain, we strive to utter only those blessings that we are required of us, and in this case, the general halachic inclination is to avoid the “Gomel” blessing upon being released from prison, because prison, as unpleasant as it may be, is not a life threatening incident.
On the other hand, since Pollard has been known to be sickly, and being locked up in prison contributed to his condition, shouldn’t he be able to view his release as also the removal of a deadly threat?
Largely unimpressed, Rabbi Kanievsky answered, “No, he shouldn’t.”
The rabbi was then asked regarding the “Hatov V’hameitiv,” which is a blessing thanking God for His goodness when we hear good news. Will Pollard be allowed to say this blessing despite the fact that his release was scheduled in advance and so does not constitute “news?”
To which Rabbi Kanievsky responded, “To him it’s still considered good news, let him say a blessing.”
Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky was born in Pinsk, the son of Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky (also known as the Steipler Gaon) and Rebbitzen Miriam Karelitz, sister of Rabbi Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz (also known as the Chazon Ish).
He followed his renowned uncle to Eretz Israel, and in 1948, while a student at the Lomza Yeshiva, was conscripted into IDF service. As he later related, he was assigned to stand guard on a large hill near Jaffa.