Q&A: A Blessing on the Commandment of a Guardrail
A Blessing on the Commandment of a Guardrail
Question
Hello Rabbi!
As an answer to the question of why there are commandments over which no blessing is recited, the halakhic decisors write that for rational commandments, through which we were not set apart from the gentiles, one should not say “who has sanctified us with His commandments” (the Rabbi cited this view in the article “General Introduction and the Foundations of the Laws of Charity”).
If so, then why recite a blessing over building a guardrail? After all, it is a clearly rational commandment.
The Hazon Ish, in the collected notes to Choshen Mishpat, wrote that the commandment of a guardrail is not rational, because when a person goes up to the roof he is more careful, and so he would think there is no need for a guardrail. But it is hard to accept his explanation, because a person who does not build a guardrail is regarded by people as endangering his family members.
A. Why recite a blessing over a guardrail?
B. Does the Rabbi know of other rational commandments over which a blessing is recited?
Thank you
Answer
The blessing over a guardrail is subject to a dispute between Maimonides and the Rokeach. According to the Rokeach, no blessing is recited (though on his view that is because its primary basis is the prohibition of “do not place blood in your house”).
I don’t remember the explanation regarding blessings over rational commandments. By the way, gentiles are not commanded about a guardrail (although in practice they would probably do it). It is worth discussing whether the reason you mentioned applies here or not.
That reason is contradicted by several sources. As I recall, Rashba in a responsum discusses a blessing over charity and commandments between one person and another, and needs a different reason there (perhaps because the poor person may not accept it).
In any case, one who holds that a blessing is recited over a rational commandment presumably will not accept that argument. There is no necessity either way.
I’ve now found a survey here: