Siman - Berachos Daf 54

• Berachah on miracles

All are obligated to make a berachah on miracles performed for the masses, but only an individual is obligated to make a berachah on a miracle performed for him alone.

• Eight places where miracles occurred

A Baraisa enumerates eight places where one is obligated to recite a berachah for the miracles performed there.

1.Where the Yam Suf was crossed.

2.Where the Jordan was crossed.

3.At the crossing of the Canyons of Arnon(מעברות נחלי ארנון) , where the Amorites waiting in ambush were miraculously crushed in the mountains.

4. At the stones of Elgavish in the descent of Beis-Choron. These were the hailstones that were suspended in midair for the sake of Moshe and later came down for the sake of Yehoshua when he defended Givon in the battle with the Emori.

5.At the stone that King Og of Bashan wanted to throw at the nation.

6.At the stone that Moshe sat on during the war with Amalek.

7.At the remains of Lot’s wife.

8.At the wall of Jericho, which was swallowed.

The Gemara elaborates on the eight miracles.

• Bentching gomel and having a shomer (guardian)

3. Rav Yehudah said in the name of Rav that four types of people must give thanks and bentch gomel, because they survived dangerous situations:

1.One who travels across the sea.

2.One who travels through a wilderness.

3.One who recovers from an illness.

4.One who is freed from prison.

 Rav Yehudah further taught that three types of people need protection from mazikin (demons):

1.A sick person is more vulnerable, because his mazel has turned for the worse.

2.A chassan and kallah are also in danger, because they evoke the jealousy of mazikin.