Lightning - Beracha

QUESTION: The Mishnah in Berachos (9:2) states that on lightning, one recites the beracha “shekocho u’gevuraso malei olam” (His strength and might fill the world). Why is it that the custom is to instead recite the beracha of “oseh maaseh bereishis” (He performs the acts of creation)?

ANSWER: The Gemara (Berachos 59a) explains that, in truth, either beracha may be recited. The Mishnah means that even the beracha of “shekocho u’gevuraso” may be said. This is in contrast with one who sees mountains, oceans, or deserts, for which only “oseh maaseh bereishis” may be said. The Mishnah Berurah (227:5) writes that although regarding lightning and thunder one has a choice of which beracha to say, the custom has developed to recite the beracha of “shekocho u’gevuraso malei olam” on hearing thunder and “oseh maaseh bereishis” on seeing lightning. However, in truth, either beracha can be said on lightning or thunder. Therefore, if one saw lightning and heard thunder at the same time and recited “oseh maaseh bereishis,” the beracha would cover both lightning and thunder and it would be incorrect to recite an additional beracha, even if you hear more thunder afterwards. The Chayei Adam (63:7) adds that even if the lightening and thunder come one right after the other (within 2-3 seconds), only one beracha should be recited. The Mishnah Berurah also quotes from the Birkei Yosef that if one recited the beracha on lightning and had in mind that the beracha should cover the subsequent thunder, even though he did not yet hear the thunder, it would seem that this too would suffice.

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