Portion of the Portion

TODA - HAGOMEL

Living in Jerusalem, I often meet new people who come to spend time in the holy city. I also get to hear many people who come to Jerusalem for the holidays - recite the blessing HaGomel.

HAGOMEL L’CHYAVIM TOVOT SHEG’MALANI KOL TOV - Who has bestowed every goodness upon me…
for being saved from the danger of the journey to the holy land.

This is a mitzva that can be learned from a verse in this week’s portion (7:12) - IM AL TODA YAKRIVENU V’HIKRIV AL ZEVACH HATODA… Rashi here states: “if he is bringing this korban as a thanksgiving offering for a miracle that happened to him - then he must give it in a certain way.” Rashi gives four examples of the type of people who should give thanks.

1) Someone who survives a boat trip
2) Someone who makes it across the desert
3) someone who gets out of jail
4) someone who was sick and gets better.

This is learned from verses in Psalms (107:21-22) YODU LAHASHEM CHASDO V’NIFL’OTAV LIVNEI ADAM V’YIZB’CHU ZIVCHEI TODA…

The IBN EZRA says that from here we learn that the person should bring a Korban Toda for being saved from danger. BIRKAT HAGOMEL is lieu of this KORBAN TODA.

But we can ask many questions about this blesing? Should we recite it any time we are saved or any time we are thankful or only at the four specific times mentioned by Rashi? Did the Jews leaving Egypt recite this blessing as well when they crossed the sea? Should we recite it when flying in a plane?
The inspiration for this week’s column came from a book that I received from my Shabbos guests last Shabbat. It is hot-off-the-press, titled HEGYONEI HAPARSHA by Ari Wasserman (Feldheim). It brings Halachic discourses on topics related to each Parsha. So for this portion, the book discusses Birkat HaGomel.

For example: he discusses the different oppinions of the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmud on this issue. The Babylonian Talmud says that only those who went through the desert have to give thanks, while the Jerusalem Talmud (Brachot 4:4) says that any type of journey (not only one across a desert) is considered unsafe. The Rambam (Brachot 10:8) brings the halacha like the Yerushalmi, that anyone who goes on any journey and arrives safely should give thanks. Some people recite the blessing for any type of of trip - but they say the bracha without G-d’s name. As in all halachic matters, there are various opinions and I recommend reading the book to learn about them.

I’d like to a wish a Chag Kasher v’Samei’ach to everyone and a special welcome to those who have arrived in Israel for “aliya l’regel.”

Here is a simple recipe for Pesach. There is a species of radish that is known as karpas so some people use radishes for karpas. Here is a salad idea that you can make with the extra radishes and extra apples from the charoset.

RADISH AND APPLE SALAD

1/4 lb. white or red radishes
2 small tart, crisp apples
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 medium-size (6”-8”) cucumber
Fresh parsley for garnish
Sliced fresh cucumber for garnish

MILKY DRESSING:
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise (optional)
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. white pepper (optional)

Wash radishes and trim ends. Cut into julienne pieces. Cut apples into eighths. Remove cores and cut into thin slices. Toss with lemon juice to prevent darkening. Combine with radishes.

Peel cucumber and cut in half. With spoon, scoop out seeds from center. Cut into 2-inch pieces, then into julienne pieces. Add to radishes and apples.
For dressing, stir together the sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, sugar and pepper. Serve dressing along with the salad for individual spooning, or mix into salad just before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and a slice of fresh cucumber.

Serve with vinegrette or following dessert.

TIPS: For best results, prepare salad just before serving. Eat within 2 hours for a crispy salad. Before serving, drain off any liquids that may accumulate in the bottom of the bowl.

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