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When to Recite the Brachah of Hagomel

The brachah of hagomel (the blessing of thanksgiving) is said in the wake of four situations: 1) when a person crossed the ocean; 2) when a person traveled through a desert; 3) when a person who was unwell recovered; and 4) when a person has been released from prison. The halachah is that hagomel is recited only once the sakanah (danger) has completely passed. A person who has crossed the ocean or the desert should bentch (recite the blessing of) gomel upon arriving at their destination. Some poskim maintain that one should wait to bentch gomel until they return home, unless they will be staying at their destination for at least three days. When a person who was unwell is out of danger, but has not totally recovered, they should not bentch gomel until they are fully restored to health. One only bentches gomel when “Chazar l’buryo l’gamrei“(once they have been restored to full health). If they have recovered from their illness, but nevertheless feel a general weakness, some poskim say that they can bentch gomel; however, the words “Chazar l’buryo l’gamrei” imply that one should wait until there is no  vestige of their previous illness. A person who has recovered completely, but is on medication in order to prevent a relapse, should bentch gomel as they are halachically considered cured. A person who is incarcerated, but is granted permission to go home for a weekend, should not bentch gomel until they have been permanently released; likewise, a person who has escaped from prison does not bentch gomel because of the possibility of being recaptured. In many sources it’s written that a person who has been released from prison should not make the brachah until they have arrived home. #329