In addition to the routine blessings over daily pleasures, the Sages instituted blessings of praise and thanksgiving to God for less common experiences. The following are the more frequent of these:

The most well-known blessing in this category is the Sheheheyanu blessing, instituted for those moments when one experiences joy in the wake of events that are not part of his daily routine.

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has given us life, sustained us, and brought us to this time.”

On festivals one recites the Sheheheyanu blessing for the special day. Women recite this blessing when lighting candles for the festival, while men do so during the festival evening Kiddush. Likewise, before a mitzva that is performed at a special time, such as sitting in the sukka, lighting the Hanukkah candles for the first time that year, and reading the megilla on Purim, one recites Sheheheyanu.

If a person purchases or receives an item such as a new garment, jewelry, an important utensil, or a piece of furniture, and this brings him joy, he should recite the Sheheheyanu blessing. Since the joy is the decisive factor for this type of blessing, one does not recite the Sheheheyanu blessing when he buys something simple and mundane like a new undershirt, socks, a ladle, a stool, or the like, as these items do not bring one considerable joy.

In the case of fruit that grows at a certain season of the year and can be found in the markets only during this season, one recites the Sheheheyanu blessing when partaking of the fruit for the first time after its renewal in its season. Some first recite the blessing over the fruit, “Who creates fruit of the tree [ha’etz],” next recite the Sheheheyanu blessing, and then eat the fruit. Others recite the Sheheheyanu blessing before the blessing of Ha’etz over the fruit.

When more than one person shares in an acquisition and its accompanying joy, they do not recite the Sheheheyanu blessing but rather the following blessing:

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who is good and does good [hatov vehametiv].”

For example, if a couple bought a new home together, then when they enter their home to live in it or when they affix the mezuzot, they recite the blessing Hatov vehametiv. Additionally, at a meal where two types of wine are served, if the second is better than the first, one recites the blessing Hatov vehametiv before drinking the second wine.

One who sees lightning in the sky recites the blessing,

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Author of creation.”

One who hears thunder recites the blessing,

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, whose strength and power fill the world.”

If the lightning and thunder occur at the same time, one recites a single blessing, “Author of creation,” over both of them.

One may recite the blessing over lightning or thunder only immediately after seeing or hearing it. If the amount of time that has passed since the event is sufficient for a person to say the three words Shalom alekha rabbi (“peace be upon you, my teacher”), one may no longer recite the blessing.

One who sees a tall and impressive mountain, such as Mount Hermon, Mount Tabor, or Mount Masada, recites the blessing,

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Author of creation.”

Likewise, one who sees the Mediterranean or the Red Sea after not seeing them for at least thirty days recites the blessing “Author of creation.”

By contrast, whoever sees the ocean after not having seen it for at least thirty days recites the blessing,

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who made the great ocean.”

If one sees a rainbow, he may glance at it briefly, but should not stare at it for a long time. When he sees it, he recites the blessing,

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who remembers the covenant, is faithful to His covenant, and fulfills His word.”