Rav Eliezer Abish told a story. A fellow visiting Eretz Yisroel seized the special opportunity and made his way, like thousands of others, to go see Rav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, and perhaps even merit to receive a Brachah from him.
Rav Cham’s eyes lit up when he heard the Gabbai mention that the fellow lived in Gibraltar.
Rav Chaim asked, “Really? You live in Gibraltar?”
The fellow, as well as the Gabbai, wondered what it was about the small island of Gibraltar that excited Rav Chaim so much. Rav Chaim shared his excitement with his visitor from Gibraltar. He explained, “The Halachah states (Brachos 58b, Mishnah Brurah 228:2) that a Brachah is recited when you see the Yam HaGadol, the great ocean.
The Rock of Gibraltar
“However, there is a disagreement in Halachah if this refers to the Atlantic Ocean or to the Mediterranean Sea. Because of this disagreement, you cannot make the Brachah when seeing the Atlantic Ocean, because perhaps the Halachah is that the Brachah is to be said upon seeing the Mediterranean Sea. The same issue would apply upon seeing the Mediterranean See. You can’t make the Brachah because perhaps the Halachah is that the Brachah is really to be said upon seeing the Atlantic Ocean.
“However, from the Rock of Gibraltar, one can see both the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Mediterranean Sea at the same time. Therefore,” a visibly excited Rav Chaim concluded, “you can say the Brachah upon seeing the Yam HaGadol! How fortunate you are!” The fellow later told his wife as they drove back to their hotel in Yerushalayim, “Wow! I am living in Gibraltar my entire life and have always enjoyed watching people’s reactions when they hear where I live. People would express their interest and curiosity in the island and ask all sorts of questions about life there and about the ‘Rock.’ Yet, no one has ever mentioned to me a word about the special merit of having the opportunity of reciting the Brachah upon seeing the Yam HaGadol. I guess it all depends on your attitude and outlook in life as to what is important and special to you!”
Reprinted from the Parshas Behar-Bechukosai 5785 email of Rabbi Yehuda Winzelberg’s Torah U’Tefilah.
