Dear Rabbi,

After reading the autobiography of Helen Keller and appreciating even more Hashem's gift of sight and hearing, I know there is a blessing for sight ("po-ke'ach ivrim"), but is there one for hearing? If so, what is it? If not, why not?

Dear Aryeh Levy,

There is a blessing for hearing: "Asher natan lasechvi vina - Who gave the rooster the ability to discern between day and night." According to the Talmud, this is to be recited upon hearing a rooster crow. Although it does not refer to hearing in itself, however, since it is a blessing on hearing a rooster crow, there is no need to institute another blessing on hearing alone.

Source:

• Talmud Tractate Brachot 60b
• See Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 46:8