A rare New Jersey-centered earthquake shook the greater metropolitan New York area and was felt as far away as Philadelphia and Boston. The 4.8 quake and its smaller aftershocks thankfully did no significant damage though many were quite startled by the event. Earthquakes in the Middle East are more common, with references in the books of Amos, Zechariah and Ezekiel to an earthquake believed to have occured around 760 BCE. In fact, the very first line of Amos reads, “The words of Amos, a sheep breeder from Tekoa, who prophesied concerning Israel in the reigns of Kings Uzziah of Judah and Jeroboam son of Joash of Israel, two years before the earthquake.” Judaism has blessings for almost all occasions. What blessing is specified in the Talmud to be recited upon experiencing an earthquake?

USGS Earthquake Alert at 20240405 by USGS  is in the public domain via Wikimedia Commons

A. Gomel, typically recited after an illness or danger: Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the world, who rewards the undeserving with goodness, and who has rewarded me with goodness.

B. Modeh Ani, typically recited upon awakening, with thanks for living another day: I give thanks before you, King living and eternal, for You have returned within me my soul with compassion; abundant is Your faithfulness.

C. Shekocho Ugevurato, typically recited upon witnessing acts of nature: Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the world, whose power and might fill the world.

D. Shechecheyanu, typically recited upon new or unusual experiences: Blessed are you, Lord our God, ruler of the world, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this moment.

E. Asher Yatsar, typically recited upon going to the bathroom, which many did when the earth started shaking!:  Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the world, who formed humans with wisdom and created within them many openings and many hollows. It is obvious in the presence of your glorious throne that if one of them were ruptured, or if one of them were blocked, it would be impossible to exist and stand in Your presence. Blessed are you, our God, who heals all flesh and performs wonders.

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