Introduction
When someone gives us something, our natural reaction is to thank the person as an expression of our deep sense of gratitude. But if someone gives us the same thing every day, several times a day, our natural feelings of gratitude will be diminished, and we will no longer thank the person quite as wholeheartedly (or perhaps not at all).
Everything that we have has been given to us by G-d, and that gives us reason to thank Him. But while we remember to thank Him for the things we receive only on infrequent occasions, we do not always express gratitude for the things that He gives us every day. Sometimes, we even make the mistake of thinking that we obtained those things on our own, without G-d’s help.
When we recite a blessing, we are thanking G-d for what He has given us and for what He continues to give us. Reciting blessings trains us not to be ungrateful even for the things that He gives us regularly, and the benefits we receive from Him several times a day.
Types of Blessings
There are three main types of blessings:
-
- Blessings over physical enjoyment: blessings over things that benefit us or give us pleasure, such as food and drink, pleasant fragrances, and the like.
- Blessings over mitzvot: blessings over the performance of commandments in the Torah, such as the blessings over wearing tefillin, lighting Shabbat candles, and so forth.
- Blessings of praise: blessings over things for which we want to praise G-d and thank Him for His kindness and His greatness. Examples include the blessing recited by a person who has been healed from an illness or has been saved from death, the blessings recited when we see the wonders of nature, and so forth.
Who Authored Them?
The words of most of our blessings were composed by our Sages, of blessed memory, who also established clearly defined times when we must give thanks or recite blessings to praise G-d.
The words of our blessings were composed at the beginning of the era of the Second Temple (over 2400 years ago) by a group of righteous sages known as the Men of the Great Assembly.
What Is a Blessing Made Of?
Our Sages decreed that every blessing, regardless of which type it is, must contain two basic components: the Name of G-d and a reference to G-d’s Kingship. These two components appear as part of the standard opening of a blessing, which mentions the Name of G-d and describes Him as the King of the world.
Nowadays, most people are familiar with the standard beginning of a blessing: “Blessed are You, G-d, our L-rd, King of the universe.”
This general introduction is followed by the specific subject of that blessing. For instance, the blessing over bread is, “Blessed are You, G-d, our L-rd, King of the universe, Who produces bread from the earth.” Upon performing the ritual of Netilat Yadayim, we recite the blessing, “Blessed are You, G-d, our L-rd, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us regarding the washing of hands.” This introduction repeats itself in every blessing we recite.
A Blessing in Vain
One should not recite a blessing (in Hebrew) when there is no requirement to do so, since it is forbidden to utter the Name of G-d when we are not obligated to do so. In Jewish law, a blessing recited when there is no need for it is known as a “blessing in vain.”
If a person recites the first three words of a blessing (in Hebrew) and then realizes that he has already recited that blessing, or that it is unnecessary for some other reason, he can still “salvage” the situation. There is a verse in the Book of Psalms that begins with those same three words: “Blessed are You, G-d, teach me Your statutes.” We are always permitted to utter the Name of G-d as part of a Biblical verse, so if you “catch” yourself at this point in a blessing, simply say the Hebrew words lamdeini chukecha, which conclude that verse, in order to convert a potential blessing in vain into a permissible utterance.
Important Rules
-
- Blessings should be recited aloud, and one should pay attention to every word.
- One should not engage in any other activity while reciting a blessing.
- Before beginning a blessing, it is important to know in advance exactly what one is going to say. One should not begin a blessing and then figure out which blessing to recite when one is already halfway through.
- When a blessing is recited over something that can be held in the hand, it should be grasped in the right hand.
- A man should wear a head covering (a kippah, hat, or the like) when reciting a blessing.
- A blessing should not be recited in a place where there are unpleasant odors, such as in the vicinity of bodily waste or rotting garbage.
- Upon hearing a blessing recited by another person, one should respond, “Amen.” The word “amen” constitutes a sort of confirmation of the other person’s blessing. A person should not say “Amen” after his own blessing.
Question: I am in the middle of eating an apple, and I cannot remember whether I said the blessing before I began eating it. Should I say the blessing again?
Answer: Our Sages have taught us a rule regarding the blessings before food: In a situation of doubt, we rule leniently. In the case of an uncertainty regarding whether a blessing has been said, one should not say the blessing again. Regarding the Grace After Meals, see below
According to Kabbalah, every blessing has a very profound significance. Every time we say our blessings properly, we infuse the items over which they have been recited with positive spiritual energy, purifying them and elevating them to a higher spiritual level.
