Lightning, Comets, Blessings - Brachot 9th Perek
The first tractate of the Talmud has nine chapters and is titled Berachot- “Blessings.” The first eight chapters of the tractate discuss a wide range of blessings with each chapter covering one type of blessing (for prayer services, for before and after meals, etc). The ninth and final chapter has no particular subject, as it discusses all sorts of blessings including for when seeing lightning and comets to the blessings to be said when hearing bad news.
Join Rabbi Dr. Stuart Fischman as he explores how, through the act of making a bracha, we can find meaning in everything we do, especially when experiencing the most trying circumstances.
Timezone
Time of Class
May 27, 2026 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Lightning, Comets, Blessings - Brachot 9th Perek: Lightning, Comets, Blessings
Lightning, Comets, Blessings - Brachot 9th Perek: Lightning, Comets, Blessings
Class description
Hello Everyone,
The masechet Berachot deals with, as its title indicates, with the many types of berachot -blessings- which we say in the course of the day. The first eight chapters in masechet Berachot each deal with one type of blessing. The ninth chapter of the masechet Berachot is sort of repository for all of the blessings which do not require chapters of their own.
In this series of meetings, we will study these blessings, many of which are not very well known.
Today we will study one of these lesser-known blessings, the blessing ברוך מציב גבול אלמנה.
June 10, 2026 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Lightning, Comets, Blessings - Brachot 9th Perek: Lightning, Comets, Blessings
Lightning, Comets, Blessings - Brachot 9th Perek: Lightning, Comets, Blessings
Class description
Hello Everyone,
The title of our course mentions comets, and today we will discuss comets. We will see how comets have been understood throughout history and how Chazal taught us to perceive them.
Handouts
June 17, 2026 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Lightning, Comets, Blessings - Brachot 9th Perek: Lightning, Comets, Blessings
Lightning, Comets, Blessings - Brachot 9th Perek: Lightning, Comets, Blessings
Class description
Hello Everyone,
Our sages gave us two blessings to say when we see striking objects. When we see monkeys or elephants, we say “משנה הבריות” – “Who makes creatures different.” When we see outstanding creatures or beautiful trees, we say “שככה לו בעולמו”- “that it is such in His world.”
Today we will learn about these two blessings.
June 24, 2026 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Lightning, Comets, Blessings - Brachot 9th Perek: Lightning, Comets, Blessings
Lightning, Comets, Blessings - Brachot 9th Perek: Lightning, Comets, Blessings
Class description
Hello Everyone,
Today we will talk about rainbows. Rainbows are significant. Hashem made a covenant with Noah after the Flood andbthe rainbow was the sign of the covenant. A rainbow figures prominently in the description described in the first chapter of the bok of Ezekiel. It is not surprising that the Gemara in masechet Berachot presents several opinions on how we should react when we see a rainbow.
July 1, 2026 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Lightning, Comets, Blessings - Brachot 9th Perek: Lightning, Comets, Blessings
Lightning, Comets, Blessings - Brachot 9th Perek: Lightning, Comets, Blessings
Class description
Hello Everyone,
The first Mishnah in the ninth chapter of masechet Berachot lists many blessings. We have seen some of the blessings which are said when we see remarkable phenomena ( such as rainbows and comets). Today we will see a different blessing. It is the blessing (She’hechiyanu) to be said when purchasing something. It is interesting to see that even though the Mishnah teaches that this blessing needs to be said, later authorities wrote that the blessing has fallen into disuse. We will talk about this blessing today.
July 8, 2026 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Lightning, Comets, Blessings - Brachot 9th Perek: Lightning, Comets, Blessings
Lightning, Comets, Blessings - Brachot 9th Perek: Lightning, Comets, Blessings
Class description
Hello Everyone
In the first Mishnah of the ninth chapter of מסכת ברכות there is a list of blessings which need to say, and we have discussed some of them. But there is also mentioned a blessing which we may not say, and that is the “pointless” prayer- תפילת שוא.
There are things which we may not pray for. We may not pray for the change or negation of a given circumstance.
This leads to the question of why not pray for such a miracle?
This is our subject for this evening.
July 15, 2026 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Lightning, Comets, Blessings - Brachot 9th Perek: Lightning, Comets, Blessings
Lightning, Comets, Blessings - Brachot 9th Perek: Lightning, Comets, Blessings
Class description
Rabbi Dr. Stuart Fischman graduated from Yeshiva University in 1980 and the dental school of Columbia University in 1985. In 1989 he began studying and teaching at Yeshivat Hamivtar and now studies and teaches at Yeshivat Machanaim in Efrat. He has rabbinic ordination from Rav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg.