ONE HUNDRED BLESSINGS A DAY!? Is this some sort of prescription, Rx for COVID 19? When I listen to the news, hear 18-month predictions and spin about the international economic implications, I am immobilized. Is there a supplemental news source available? I look to our tradition and liturgy as my guide to ‘Activities of Daily Living (a yardstick for support)’. You will not find these offerings in the aisle at Jewel or Walgreens. Rather, these affirmations and blessings are thousands of years old. They are part of our morning liturgy (worship), originally davened (prayed at home) and later included in our siddur (prayerbook).
The source of the Hebrew word BLESSING, B’RACHA ברכה, is BEIrach, knee. Blessing is bending the knee, movement and action, into awareness. How can we energize ourselves to recognize the spiritual gifts we have, each day?
“Rabbi Meir said, ‘A person is obligated to bless 100 blessing every day, as the Torah says: ‘Now Israel, what does God ask from you, but only to fear Hashem your God, to go in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve Hashem your God, with all of your heart and with all of your soul. To guard the commands of Hashem and His statutes which I command you today, for your good.” (Deut. 10:12,13)
The Talmud (Ta’anit 8b) teaches: “A blessing is found only in an object that is hidden [samui] from the eye.” Blessings may not always be readily apparent to us. Where should we direct our attention?
In the morning, before my feet hit the floor, I say the SH’MA שמע.
This is my first blessing of the day. “Pay attention: Know that G-d (Everything) is One!”
Birchot HaShakhar, ברכות השחר, The Morning Blessings* are a daily reminder of personal, physical, universal, and cosmic realities. Each blessing is both a request and an affirmation that we are awake, free, humble, kind, and strong. These blessings can help us gather our spiritual energy.
We are made in the image of the Divine. Each of us is special. Each of us is unique.
Our sages wrote (Brachot 35a) that it is forbidden to benefit from the world without making a blessing. How can we bless each other during these times of stress and uncertainty? Consciousness and connections help us articulate gratitude. Covid 19 has closed our doors, but our hearts are open to family, friends, our community, and the world.
What are the blessings in your life? Big or small, practicing gratitude each day can help us savor these moments of enforced spiritual wisdom and calm. Listening and affirming each person’s intrinsic value brings blessings into the world and to each other.
*Bir’chot HaShakhar
Praised are you, Adonai our God, Soverign
of the Universe,
Who removes sleep from my
eyes and
slumber from my eyelids.
Praised are You, Adonai our God,
Soverign of the Universe,
Who gives our hearts
understanding to distinguish day from night.[1]
Praised are you, Adonai our God, Soverign
of the Universe,
Who has created me as a
descendant of Israel.
Praised are you, Adonai our God, Soverign
of the Universe,
Who has created me as a
free human being.
Praised are you, Adonai our God, Soverign
of the Universe,
Who opens the eyes of the
blind.
Praised are you, Adonai our God,
Soverign of the Universe,
Who provides clothing for
the naked.
Praised are you, Adonai our God, Soverign
of the Universe,
Who frees the captive.
Praised are you, Adonai our God, Soverign
of the Universe,
Who raises up the fallen.
Praised are you, Adonai our God, Soverign
of the Universe,
Who spread out the earth
above the waters.
Praised are you, Adonai our God, Soverign
of the Universe,
Who has supplied my every
want.
Praised are you, Adonai our God, Soverign
of the Universe,
Who strengthens our steps.
Praised are you, Adonai our God, Soverign
of the Universe,
Who girds Israel with strength.
Praised are you, Adonai our God, Soverign
of the Universe,
Who crowns Israel with
splendor.
Praised are you, Adonai our God, Soverign
of the Universe,
Who gives strength to the
weary.
Shalom uv’racha,
שלום וברכה
Peace & Blessings,
Cantor Perman