Q. G-d willing, I am planning a trip to Toronto in the near future. Since I will be traveling over the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, (and will ostensibly see Lake Ontario while in Toronto), do I make a separate Brocho upon seeing each body of water?
A. Shulchan Aruch ( O.H. 228: 1) rules that on seeing a sea one recites ‘Ose Maase Bereishis.’ However, on seeing the ‘Great Sea’ one recites ‘Ose Hayam Hagadol.’ The Great Sea. He defines as the sea that one crosses when traveling to Eretz Yisroel or Egypt, namely the Mediterranean Sea.
Mishna Berura (2) debates and quotes opinions if the Yam Hagadol is indeed the Mediterranean Sea and is so named because of the importance of the Land of Israel, or as many Poskim maintain, it is the ‘Yam Okianus’ or what is named an ‘Ocean,’ is what carries the name of The Great Sea, since it covers in its connections the whole world. That would be the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans that also connect to the Mediterranean.
It would seem from Biur Halocho (ibid.), that it is better to recite ‘Ose Maase Bereishis,’ on all seas, since after the fact you comply with that blessing all possibilities.
Halichos Shlomo (H. Tefillah 23: 29) and Vezos Habrocho (p. 154) maintain that it is desirable, that when reciting the brocho on the Mediterranean Sea to say ‘Ose Maase Bereishis,’ and then add the words ‘Ose Hayam Hagadol’ Toch Kdei Dibbur or within 2-3 seconds.
Halichos Shlomo (H. Tefillah 23: 27) rules that If one said a brocho upon seeing one ocean and then sees another ocean, one should recite another bracha even if it’s within 30 days. Therefore, it is preferable to have in mind when seeing the Mediterranean, and reciting ‘Ose Maase Bereishis,’ to have in mind the Atlantic and any other upcoming seas, since one knows that soon one will be gazing at them.
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Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a