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Is there a bracha that should be recited on a hurricane?

 

Maran, the Shulchan Aruch writes (OH 227:1) that on a exceptionally strong wind, one makes the beracha of “HaOseh Ma’aseh Bereshit”

The Kaf HaChaim explains, in the name of the Birchei Yosef and other poskim, that on an extraordinary wind that is not heard all over the world, (presumably this means until the horizon), the correct beracha is “HaOseh Ma’aseh Bereshit, while on a wind that blows wildly and is heard all over the world, “Shecocho Ugevurato Maleh Olam” is the required beracha, and this would seem to be a hurricane.

However, since we are not sure, the beracha should only be said where there is a hurricane and not just a strong wind.

However, the Kaf HaChaim concludes that since our custom is to recite these berachot without saying the name of Hashem, either or both can be recited.

The Ben Ish Chai agrees with the Kaf Hachaim as to this custom, and adds that this was the custom both in Baghdad and Jerusalem (to say these berachot without saying the name of Hashem -“Shem Umalchut”)

HaRav Ovadia Yosef zt”l ruled that these berachot should be recited with the name of Hashem, as Maran ruled in the Shulchan Aruch, and on a hurricane, the correct beracha would be “Shecocho Ugevurato”.

HaRav David Yosef shlit”a, in his book, “Halacha Berura” reiterates his father’s opinion in this matter.