Blessed Be

 

The Hebrew (Jewish) blessings are very interesting. Recently, I was asked for some of them from a fellow believer and it occurred to me that others may like to know them.

These blessings are different from what I was raised to pray as a Christian. We usually prayed something like this “Our Father, bless this day, food, drink, car, or etc.” as a request from YaHVaH with very little reverence to Him. I do not say it is wrong, but rather it seems somewhat more selfish when seen in the context of the Hebrew blessings. Instead of asking for blessings from YaHVaH, they Bless Him! They go on to show the reverence to Him and then almost thankfully mention what He has provided for us. To some of you this may be a new concept. You may ask, Why Bless YaHVaH since nothing we give can compare to His glory?

For the answer, go to De. 8:10, “You will eat and you will be satisfied, and bless [YaHVaH] your [Elohiym] for the good land that He gave you” (Tanach). Notice the You will. This is a command by YaHVaH. The KJV says “. . . thou shalt bless [YaHVaH] . . . ” emphasis mine. Again a command. So it is commanded of us, but then read on in verses 11 through 18. They are a warning and command to remember YaHVaH in all things.

The Hebrew blessings do both of these because it is YaHVaH that you concentrate on and not the items. Therefore, I see them as humbleness to YaHVaH. “Did you Know? Every day we should recite at least 100 blessings” (Children’s Siddur, 13).

I say them in the Hebrew language with a Messianic ending of “In the Name of Yahoshua HaMashiyach” and a New Testament insertion of “Our Father in Heaven.”

The next question may be, What are they? Well, I have one book that has over 20 pages of them for various occasions and things. However, I will start you out with the most appropriate ones. [Note: More were added after the original printing.] They will be in English. If you want the Hebrew language version, there are several Siddurs available.

Note: Most of the blessings start out with the “rememberance” part; <Blessed are You, YaHVaH our Elohiym, King of the Universe, (Our Father in Heaven), . . . > Therefore, I will place “Blessed be . . . ” at the start of each blessing below to represent this and save space. Just remember to use the above words instead.

Morning blessings:

  • Blessed be . . . , who made man with wisdom
  • Blessed be . . . , who heals all flesh and works wondrous things
  • Blessed be . . . , who lets us undestand the difference between night and day
  • Blessed be . . . , for not making me a non-believer
  • Blessed be . . . , for not making me a slave
  • Blessed be . . . , for not making me a woman (this is for males)
  • Blessed be . . . , for making me the way you wanted (this is for females)
  • Blessed be . . . , who opens the eyes of the blind (Ps. 146:8)
  • Blessed be . . . , who clothes us with clothes
  • Blessed be . . . , who frees those who are bound (Ps. 146:7)
  • Blessed be . . . , who straightens out people who are bent (Ps. 145:14)
  • Blessed be . . . , who spreads the earth over the waters
  • Blessed be . . . , who takes care of all my needs
  • Blessed be . . . , who places my steps with strength
  • Blessed be . . . , who girds Israel in strength
  • Blessed be . . . , who crowns Israel in splendor
  • Blessed be . . . , who gives strength to the tired
  • Blessed be . . . , who removes sleep from my eyes and slumber from my eyelids
  • Blessed be . . . , who gives good mercies to His people, Israel

Blessing before eating bread

Blessed be . . . , who brings forth bread from the earth

Blessing over wine, grapes, or grape juice

Blessed be . . . , who creates the fruit of the vine

Blessing before grains of barley, wheat, rye, oats, spelt and rice, other than bread, such as cakes, cookies, pretzels, spaghetti, noodles, and etc

Blessed be . . . , who creates various foods

Blessing before fruit

Blessed be . . . , who creates the fruit of the tree

Blessing before vegetables

Blessed be . . . , who creates the fruit of the ground

Blessings after meals

  • Blessed be . . . , who feeds the entire world, in His goodness, in grace, in mercy, and in kindness
  • Blessed be . . . , who feeds everyone
  • Blessed be . . . , for the land and the food
  • Blessed be . . . , who builds Jerusalem in His kindness
  • Blessed be . . . , the El of our fathers, our King, our Maker, our Creator, our Redeemer, our Master
  • Blessed be . . . , for the nourishment and basic food
  • Blessed be . . . , for the vine and the fruit of the vine
  • Blessed be . . . , for the tree and the fruit of the tree

Blessing for Sabbath lights (Messianic version, Messianic Siddur, 5)

Blessed be . . . , who has sanctified in His commandments, and commanded us to be a light to the nations and gave us [Yahoshua] HaMashiyach, the light of the world

Blessing before reading the Torah (Tanach, xxv)

Blessed be . . . , who has chosen us from among all peoples by giving us His Torah (Word/Bible). Blessed are You YaHVaH, giver of the Torah (Word/Bible). Amen

Blessing after reading the Torah (Tanach, xxv)

Blessed be . . . , who gave us the Torah (Word/Bible) of truth and implanted eternal life within us. Blessed are you YaHVaH, giver of the Torah (Word/Bible). Amen

“A Closer Look. Everything in the world is really owned by [YaHVaH]. By making a [blessing], we are thanking Him for letting us take what is really His” (Children’s Siddur, 65).

May YaHVaH bless you and keep you. May YaHVaH make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May YaHVaH lift up His countenance to you and give you peace. In the Name of Yahoshua HaMashiyach. Amen. (see Nu. 6:24).

First published 9-2003, © 2003, 2017

 

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