There Can Be Miracles

MISHNA: One who sees a place where miracles occurred on Israel’s behalf recites: Blessed…Who performed miracles for our forefathers in this place.

The Gemara asks: For a miracle that occurs for the multitudes we recite a blessing, but for a miracle that befalls an individual person we do not recite a blessing?

Wasn’t there an incident where a certain man was walking along the right side of the Euphrates River when a lion attacked him, a miracle was performed for him, and he was rescued? He came before Rava, who said to him: Every time that you arrive there, to the site of the miracle, recite the blessing, “Blessed…Who performed a miracle for me in this place.”

And once when Mar, son of Ravina, was walking in a valley of willows (Aravot) and was thirsty for water, a miracle was performed for him and a spring of water was created for him, and he drank. Furthermore, once he was walking in the marketplace of Meḥoza and a wild camel attacked him. The wall cracked open, he went inside it, and he was rescued. Ever since, when he came to the willows he recited: "Blessed…Who performed a miracle for me in the willows and with the camel." And, when he came to the marketplace of Meḥoza he recited: "Blessed…Who performed a miracle for me with the camel and in the willows."

The Sages say: On a miracle performed on behalf of the multitudes, everyone is obligated to recite a blessing; on a miracle performed on behalf of an individual, only the individual is obligated to recite a blessing.