Parshas Tzav

(The Segulah of Learning Zera Shimshon)

This week's parsha talks about the Korban Todah, the Thanksgiving Offering. Rashi tells us that a Toda is brought as gratitude for surviving a perilous situation: travelers (seafarers and those who have traversed a desert), rescued prisoners, and people who have recovered from a serious illness. The Zera Shimshon talks about how today since we do not bring korbanos, we recite the bracha of Hagomel instead.

The Gemara in Brachos (54b) asks the following question. The lashon that the halacha uses is that someone who falls into the four categories (outlined above) "needs" to recite Hagomel. Why does it not say that someone is "obligated," as it does for other halachos? (For example, "One is obligated to recite a blessing on bad news as he is on good news.")

The bracha of Hagomel requires a minyan. One may not be able to gather a minyan, and thus he is not "obligated," as he may not be able to gather ten men.

Source: Zera Shimshon Parshas Tzav