Is there a special blessing for reaching the age of 70?

Greetings,

Rabbi Yair Chaim Bacharach z"l writes in his responsa, Chut Shani (section 36), that it seems appropriate to recite the blessing Shehechiyanu upon reaching the age of seventy. This is possibly because one has completed their years, as stated in the Book of Psalms (Chapter 90, Verse 10), "The years of our life are seventy years." The Admor of Komarna z"l also states in his book, Shulchan Tahor (section 267, Paragraph 7), that when a person reaches the completion of seventy years, they should bless in the name of Hashem the blessing of Shehechiyanu.

However, there are dissenting opinions. Rabbi Berachyahu Yosef in Shiyurei Beracha (Orach Chaim section 267) writes that it seems to him that one should bless without the name and kingship, as it was not mentioned by the early authorities. Similarly, the Pri Megadim (section 489 in Mishbetzot Zahav, paragraph 9) left the words of Chut Shani in doubt. Rabbi Eliezer Pelikles z"l (a student of the notorious Yehuda z"l) in his responsa, Teshuva Me'ahavah (section 218), wrote that he did not feel inclined to rule that a seventy-year-old should bless Shehechiyanu. The Chatam Sofer also wrote in his glosses on the Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim (section 230, paragraph 1), that it seems proper to bless without the name and kingship.

Therefore, in practice, one should follow what is written by the Ben Ish Chai (Year 1, Parashat Re'eh, section 9) that upon reaching sixty or seventy, it is proper to wear a new garment or take a new fruit and bless Shehechiyanu over it, with the intention to also include their years. There are those who celebrate with a meal upon reaching seventy. Therefore, in the mentioned responsa of Chut Shani, it was written that since it is not clear that this constitutes a se'udat mitzvah (a meal of commandment), it is appropriate to discuss words of Torah during it.

Best regards,

Hillel Meirs