Halocho #591 - Don't stare at the rainbow

When seeing a rainbow one says the Bracha "Baruch... Zocher Habrit Ven'eman Bivrito Vekayam Bema'amaro" - "...Who remembers the covenant, is trustworthy in His covenant and fulfills His word".

 ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם

זוֹכֵר הַבְּרִית וְנֶאֱמָן בִּבְרִיתוֹ וְקַיָּם בְּמַאֲמָרוֹ

This Bracha is said only once per rainbow.

One should not stare at a rainbow for extended periods of time.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 60:4

The reason for not staring at the rainbow is explained in Chagiga (16:1). The prophet Yechezkel compares the appearance of the Glory of Hashem to a rainbow:
 "As the appearance of the rainbow in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Hashem."(Ezekiel 1:28)
Staring at a rainbow is compared to staring at the Glory of Hashem, an impolite thing to do.
The Gemara states that as a punishment for staring at the rainbow, ones eyesight could suffer.

- Danny
Wednesday, 4 Tamuz 5770