Blessings for Nature: A Complete List of Jewish Nature Blessings

Blessings Everywhere You Look

Judaism has a blessing for almost every experience — and nature is no exception. The Talmud (Berakhot 54a-59b) records an extraordinary range of blessings recited upon witnessing natural phenomena: thunder, lightning, rainbows, oceans, mountains, beautiful trees, unusual animals, and the first blossoms of spring.

These blessings transform passive observation into active gratitude. A thunderstorm becomes an encounter with divine power. A blooming tree becomes a celebration of renewal. Even an earthquake — terrifying as it is — receives a blessing acknowledging God’s role in creation.

This guide provides a complete reference for the blessings recited upon encountering nature.

Weather Phenomena

Thunder

Blessing: “Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh ha-olam, shekocho u-gvurato malei olam.” Translation: “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, whose power and might fill the world.”

Recited upon hearing thunder. The blessing acknowledges that the awesome power displayed in a thunderstorm reflects God’s power.

Lightning

Blessing: “Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh ha-olam, oseh ma’aseh bereshit.” Translation: “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who re-enacts the work of creation.”

Recited upon seeing lightning. The blessing connects the flash of light to the original act of creation — “Let there be light.”

Practical note: If you see lightning and hear thunder simultaneously, you can recite either blessing and have both in mind. Some people recite oseh ma’aseh bereshit (which covers both) and others say both blessings in sequence.

Rainbow

Blessing: “Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh ha-olam, zokher ha-brit, v’ne’eman bivrito, v’kayam b’ma’amaro.” Translation: “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who remembers the covenant, is faithful to His covenant, and keeps His promise.”

The rainbow blessing recalls God’s covenant with Noah after the flood (Genesis 9:12-17): the rainbow is a sign that God will never again destroy the world by water. The blessing is an acknowledgment of divine mercy and faithfulness.

Custom: Some authorities teach that one should not point at a rainbow or stare at it excessively, as it is considered a reflection of divine glory.

Wind (Strong/Unusual)

Blessing: “…shekocho u-gvurato malei olam” (same as thunder) — for powerful, unusual winds. Ordinary breezes do not receive a separate blessing.

Bodies of Water

The Ocean

Blessing: “…she-asah et ha-yam ha-gadol.” Translation: “…who made the great sea.”

Recited upon seeing the ocean for the first time or after not having seen it for thirty days. The blessing is specific to the ocean — not lakes or rivers.

Rivers, Lakes, and Other Bodies of Water

Blessing: “…oseh ma’aseh bereshit.” Translation: “…who re-enacts the work of creation.”

Recited upon seeing other impressive natural water features — great rivers, waterfalls, and large lakes.

Landscapes and Geology

Mountains and Deserts

Blessing: “…oseh ma’aseh bereshit.” Translation: “…who re-enacts the work of creation.”

Recited upon seeing exceptionally impressive mountains, deserts, or other dramatic landscapes.

Earthquakes

Blessing: “…shekocho u-gvurato malei olam.” Translation: “…whose power and might fill the world.”

Recited upon experiencing an earthquake. The same blessing used for thunder applies to any dramatic demonstration of natural power.

Trees and Plants

Blossoming Trees in Spring (Birkat Ha-Ilanot)

Blessing: “Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh ha-olam, shelo chisar b’olamo klum, u-vara vo briyot tovot v’ilanot tovim l’hanot bahem b’nei adam.” Translation: “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has made nothing lacking in His world, and created in it goodly creatures and goodly trees for the enjoyment of human beings.”

This blessing is recited once a year, during the Hebrew month of Nisan (spring), upon seeing fruit trees in bloom. It is one of the most beloved seasonal blessings, prompting many communities to organize group outings to orchards specifically for this purpose.

Requirements: The trees should be fruit-bearing species that are in flower (not yet bearing fruit). The blessing is ideally recited upon seeing at least two blossoming fruit trees.

Unusually Beautiful Trees or Plants

Blessing: “…shekacha lo b’olamo.” Translation: “…that such [beauty] exists in His world.”

Recited upon seeing exceptionally beautiful trees, plants, or natural scenery. This blessing can also be applied to seeing beautiful people or animals.

Animals and Unusual Creatures

Beautiful or Unusual Animals

Blessing: “…meshaneh ha-briyot.” Translation: “…who varies the forms of His creatures.”

Recited upon seeing an unusually shaped or unfamiliar animal — a creature that provokes wonder at the diversity of creation.

Beautiful People or Animals

Blessing: “…shekacha lo b’olamo.” Translation: “…that such [beauty] exists in His world.”

Recited upon seeing a particularly beautiful person, animal, or natural feature. This blessing expresses wonder and gratitude for beauty in the world.

Seasonal and Astronomical

First Rain of the Season

There is no specific blessing for the first rain, but the prayer for rain (Mashiv ha-ruach u-morid ha-geshem — “who causes the wind to blow and the rain to fall”) is inserted into the daily Amidah prayer beginning on Shemini Atzeret (in autumn) and continues through Passover.

Seeing the Sun at the Start of Its 28-Year Cycle (Birkat Ha-Chamah)

Blessing: “…oseh ma’aseh bereshit.”

This exceedingly rare blessing is recited once every 28 years, when the sun is calculated to return to the same position it occupied at the moment of creation. The last occurrence was in April 2009; the next will be in April 2037.

Stars and Night Sky

Seeing Stars or the Moon

There is no separate blessing for simply seeing stars. However, the Kiddush Levanah (Sanctification of the Moon) is recited once a month, outdoors under the moonlight, during the first half of the Hebrew month. It is a communal prayer of gratitude for the renewal of the moon.

How to Practice

These blessings require attention — the willingness to pause when you encounter something remarkable in nature and to frame that encounter as an opportunity for gratitude. Many observant Jews make a conscious effort to be aware of these moments: the first thunderstorm of spring, a trip to the ocean, the sight of blossoming fruit trees.

The cumulative effect is a transformed relationship with the natural world. Nature is not merely scenery; it is an ongoing revelation of divine creativity, power, and beauty — and every encounter with it is an invitation to respond with praise.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often can I recite these blessings? Most nature blessings are recited once every thirty days — if you have not seen the phenomenon (the ocean, lightning, etc.) for at least thirty days, you recite the blessing upon seeing it again. The tree-blossoming blessing is recited only once per year. The Birkat Ha-Chamah is once every 28 years.

What if I see lightning but cannot hear thunder? Recite the lightning blessing (oseh ma’aseh bereshit). The thunder blessing is recited only when you hear thunder. Each phenomenon has its own blessing, and they can be recited independently.

Do I need to see nature in person, or does a photograph count? The blessings are meant to be recited upon direct, in-person experience of natural phenomena. Seeing a photograph or video of the ocean, a rainbow, or lightning does not trigger the obligation to recite the blessing. The encounter should be immediate and sensory.