Halacha Date: 13 Sivan 5773 May 22 2013
Answer: The Baraita in Masechet Berachot (58a) which discusses blessings recited upon seeing various things states: “One who sees one of the scholars of Israel recites, ‘Baruch She’Halak Me’Hochmato Lire’av.’” We have already explained that any blessing in which the name of Hashem and His kingship (“Elokeinu Melech Ha’Olam) are not invoked is not considered a blessing at all. Thus, this blessing upon seeing a Torah scholar must be recited as follows: “Baruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech Ha’Olam She’Halak Me’Hochmato Lire’av.”
The Poskim disagree regarding whether or not this blessing should be recited nowadays. Some are of the opinion that this blessing was only instituted to be recited upon seeing Torah scholars during the era of the Talmud and soon thereafter during which times their Torah knowledge was vast indeed. Nowadays, however, when Torah knowledge has unfortunately diminished somewhat, although the knowledge and wisdom of the great Poskim of our generation is great indeed, this blessing should not be recited.
Hagaon Hayei Adam (Chapter 63) proves that this is indeed not the case and rules that even in our generation, this blessing should be recited. He proves this from the words of the Tur who quotes another Gemara (ibid 58b) which states, “One who sees a great scholar who has vast knowledge of Torah recites, ‘Baruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech Ha’Olam Hacham Ha’Razim.’” The Tur quotes the words of the previous Gemara as Halacha as well. Thus, there must be two different blessings for two different scenarios: The “Hacham Ha’Razim” blessing is recited upon seeing a scholar with vast knowledge of Torah (and there is room to claim that there is no Torah scholar in our times worthy of reciting this blessing upon) and the “She’Halak Me’Hochmato Lire’av” blessing is recited upon seeing any Torah scholar. This second blessing certainly applies to certain Torah scholars in our generation.
Maran Harav Ovadia Yosef Shlit”a deals with this matter at length and proves that, halachically speaking, the “She’Halak Me’Hochmato Lire’av” blessing is recited in our times as per the ruling of Maran Ha’Shulchan Aruch (who lived approximately four-hundred years ago) who quotes the text of this blessing as Halacha. Hagaon Harav Shmuel Ha’Levi Wosner Shlit”a rules likewise in his Responsa Shevet Ha’Levi. Nevertheless, he adds that this blessing should not be recited upon anyone who is considered a Torah scholar (although with regards to the laws of honoring and disgracing Torah scholars, any Torah scholar is included); rather, only upon seeing an elderly and experienced Torah scholar who learns Torah for Hashem’s sake and is accepted by the people of his generation should this blessing be recited. He recounts that when Hagaon Harav Yosef Rosen zt”l (the great Rogatchover Gaon) arrived in Vienna, the entire congregation recited this blessing upon seeing him. In the Sefer Halichot Shlomo, Hagaon Harav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt”l recounts that he once went to visit Hagaon Chazon Ish along with Hagaon Harav David Baharan and Harav Baharan recited this blessing upon seeing the Chazon Ish; the Chazon Ish did not tell him anything about this. This is indeed the custom nowadays that many people have that upon seeing Maran Harav Ovadia Yosef Shlit”a, they recite this blessing. Similarly, upon seeing other great Torah luminaries of the generation who are experts at exacting precise halachic rulings in all aspects of the Torah, they recite this blessing as well.
Recently, when Maran Shlit”a mourned the loss of his son, one of the great Roshei Yeshiva of our generation, Rosh Yeshivat Be’er Yaakov, came to pay a Shiva call. He recounted that his father (the late Hagaon Harav Moshe Shmuel Shapira zt”l) was a dear friend of Maran Shlit”a way back from the time he learned by the Brisker Rav. He then said that he was about to humbly recite the following blessing, at which point he recited: “Baruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech Ha’Olam She’Halak Me’Hochmato Lire’av.” Maran Shlit”a did not tell him anything about this.
Similarly, when Hagaon Harav Sarya Divlitzky Shlit”a came to pay a Shiva call in the home of Maran Shlit”a approximately two years ago, he recited this blessing upon seeing Maran (although Harav Divlitzky had just come from visiting Hagaon Harav Elyashiv zt”l and the latter told him that in his opinion, this blessing should not be recited in our times; nevertheless, he continued with his custom and recited the blessing upon seeing Maran Shlit”a) and Maran did not tell him anything about this either. We see that this blessing should indeed be recited even nowadays on the greatest Poskim of our generation. May Hashem grant us the merit of seeing them in their splendor for many more years, Amen.
