from the heart of jerusalem: rabbi binny freedman

Elevating ourselves through blessing Hashem

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What motivates some people to do more than just appreciate the blessings they have in their lives and to actually be a vehicle for blessing?

This week’s portion, Ekev, contains one of the pivotal verses of the entire Torah regarding the concept of blessings: “Ve’achalta’ ve’sava’ta’ u’verachta’ et Hashem Elokecha al ha’aretz hatovah asher natan lach.” (“And [when] you shall eat and be satisfied and bless G-d your G-d for the good land which He has given you.”) (Devarim 8:10)

This verse is the biblical basis for the Birkat Hamazon, the four blessings we say after a meal which includes a satisfying helping of bread, and begs a number of questions.

First, how does one bless G-d? Thanking G-d is one thing — after all, it makes sense to be appreciative of all the gifts we are blessed with and the value of being thankful for it all, especially to the source of all good in this world. But what does it mean to bless G-d? Why would G-d need our blessings, much less demand them? In fact, what exactly is a blessing?

At a Friday night dinner, I recall meeting a fellow who seemed quite prominent in his shul, and who sponsored the evening in memory of his son who had passed away in a tragic car accident. At the end of dinner, thinking it would be appropriate, I asked him if he would honor us by leading the blessings after the meal but he politely declined, saying “I don’t do that!”

Given that he appeared quite knowledgeable in Judaism and seemed familiar and even comfortable with Jewish tradition, I was somewhat surprised by his comment and later found the opportunity to ask him what he meant.

“I used to buy it all — the whole nine yards,” he explained to me. “And I still think Judaism is an incredible system with a magnificent community structure. I grew up religious and have never driven on Shabbat nor knowingly placed non-kosher food in my mouth, and I never will. I even believe in G-d — who else could be the reason we are all here?’

“But after He took my son, I’ll be damned if I’m ever going to bless Him again!”

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