What blessing is recited upon seeing inhabited Jewish homes (or synagogues), and which interpretation of 'beit Yisrael' is accepted in practice?
Synopsis
The Mechaber rules one recites 'metziv gevul almana' on seeing inhabited Jewish homes and 'dayan ha-emet' on ruins. There is a three-way dispute about what 'beit Yisrael' means (wealthy homes, synagogues, or any established home). The Aruch HaShulchan reports the custom is to refrain from the blessing due to this dispute.
More in Selecting the Correct Blessing
Is the blessing upon seeing idolatry (Merkolis etc.) recited in contemporary times?
3 opinions
What blessing is recited upon seeing a place from which idolatry has been eradicated, and does the formula differ between Eretz Yisrael and outside it?
2 opinions
What blessings are recited upon seeing the ruins of Babylon, the house of Nebuchadnezzar, the lion's den, or the fiery furnace?
2 opinions
What blessing is recited upon seeing a place in Babylon where animals become trapped, and is it recited with God's name and kingship?
3 opinions
What is recited upon seeing 600,000 Jews gathered together?
1 opinions
What blessing is recited upon seeing a great Torah scholar?
2 opinions
What blessing is recited upon seeing a non-Jewish scholar of secular wisdom, and does this differ from the blessing on a Jewish scholar?
2 opinions
What blessing is recited upon seeing a Jewish king versus a non-Jewish king, and what level of official triggers each blessing?
3 opinions
Related from other topics
Must one have kavvanah (intention/concentration) during the Amidah, and which blessings require it?
Kavvanah in Prayer
When should the traveler's blessing be recited relative to other prayers and blessings?
Weekday Prayer Variations
What is the minimum distance for which the traveler's blessing must be recited?
Weekday Prayer Variations
If one finds the congregation already praying Shacharit Amidah before one has recited the Shema and its blessings, should one pray with the congregation immediately or first recite Shema and its blessings?
Shaliach Tzibbur — Prayer Leader
In which blessings of the Amidah is one obligated to bow, and at what points within those blessings?
Mashiv HaRuach — Wind and Rain
May one add a personal prayer within one of the middle blessings of the Amidah, and if so, to which blessing?
Errors in Shabbat Amidah
Discussion
Discussion coming soon.
The Daily Law
One question. Every opinion. Every morning.
A new halakhic question and the full spectrum of rabbinic thought, delivered daily.