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shalom

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Jewish Blessings
« on: March 26, 2006, 05:42:41 AM »

Blessings are a vital part of Jewish life. And I say, they should be part of everyone's life.  However expressed, in whatever language, a blessing reminds us of who we are.  

In Fiddler on the Roof, someone ask's the Rabbi "Is there a Blessing for the Tzar?"   The Rabbi invented a blessing on the spot!  "May the L-rd bless and keep the Tzar far away from us!"  The lesson is that one need not only say the formal blessings - but at any and all times, find a way to bless G-d.

"The Great Assembly" was a group of 120 sages who governed Israel around 300-400 B.C.E.  They codefied many blessings. Even to this day, they are said as they were said more than 2,000 years ago.  A few of these blessings are provided below.

A righteous Jew is to say 100 blessings each day. Jews who follow in an Orthodox or Conservative fashon, would say them in Hebrew.

See if you can find 100 reasons each day to say 100 blessings. If you can't think of one on your own, pick from the list below.  I suspect Jesus said these very blessings, as they were well established in Judaism, before his birth.

 Shalom
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Common Blessings

"I will bless the L-rd at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth". Psalm 34:1.
"O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of His praise to be heard." Psalm 66:8
"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless His name." Psalm 100:4

Note: Jews are taught to bless G-d before enjoying any of creations.  It is also our custom, if saying a blessing before doiong any act (i.e. eating), we are silent from the time we finish the blessing until the act is complete.  Example - if I wash my hands at the kitchen sink before dinner, I say the blessing for washing hands, and I am silent until have taken my first bite.

Daily and Rituals
Prayer on Awakening in the Morning:
I gratefully thank You, O living and eternal King, for you have graciously renewed my life for another day in Thy service; abundant is Thy faithfulness!

Blessing after Relieving Oneself:
Blessed art Thou, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, Who fashioned man with wisdom and created within him many openings and many cavities. It is obvious and known before Your Throne of Glory that if but one of them were to be ruptured or but one of them were to be blocked, it would be impossible to survive and to stand before You. Blessed art Thou, L-rd our G-d, Who heals all flesh and acts wondrously.

Blessing after Washing of Hands:
Blessed art Thou, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, Who sanctifies us with His commandments and has commanded us concerning cleanliness.

Before donning Tzitzits:
Blessed art Thou, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, Who sanctifies us with His commandments and commands us to wear fringes with a strand of blue. May my wearing and looking at these fringes remind me of Your life-giving commandments that I may do them with gladness and diligence.

Before Donning the Hand Tefillin:
Blessed art Thou, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, Who sanctifies us with His commandments and commands us to bind Your words as a sign upon our hands and upon our hearts. May my doing so remind me of Your life-giving commandments that I may do them with gladness diligence.

Before Donning Head Tefillin:
Blessed art Thou, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, Who sanctifies us with His commandments and commands us to bind Your words as a symbol between our eyes. May my doing so remind me of Your life-giving commandments that I may do them with gladness diligence.

Upon Touching a Mezuzah:
Blessed art Thou, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, Who sanctifies us with His commandments and commands us to write His words on the doorposts of our homes. May my doing so remind me of Your life-giving commandments that I may do them with gladness and diligence. (May the L-rd always bless my coming ins and my going outs). (short version)

Blessing on Visiting Someone
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nojc4me

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Jewish Blessings
« Reply #1 on: March 26, 2006, 03:15:47 PM »

Blessed art Thou, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, Who remembers the covenant and is faithful to all promises.

Yesterday, I saw a rainbow, and recited this blessing (from memory, but it turns out I recalled it correctly).
As a Noachide, the rainbow is particularly important to me.
I also recite blessings for certain pleasures I enjoy throughout the day.
I find it helps keep me centered and remembering that life is good, and filled with goodnesses.
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Suggested Reading list:
"You Take jesus, I'll Take God" - Sam Levine
"The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress" - Robert Heinlein
"Hope" - Aaron Zelman & L. Neil Smith
"The Probability Broach" - L. Neil Smith
"Wizard's First Rule" - Terry Goodkind (Check out the rest of the series, too.)
"The Constitution of the United States" - input from various American Statesmen (Read that as "Old, wealthy white men, now dead, who were often seen to be wearing wigs and hose in public.")

Tony N

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Jewish Blessings
« Reply #2 on: March 29, 2006, 12:22:14 PM »

Just kind of curious how one pronounces "L-rd" and "G-d" do you say "Lhyphenrd" and "Ghyphend" when you recite the prayer?

It is wonderful that people are thankful to the L and G

Tony
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Did God say that He "will have all mankind to be saved" or that He "will NOT have all mankind to be saved? (1Tim.2:4-6]
Did God say He IS the Saviour of all mankind, or that He "is NOT the Saviour of all mankind? (1Tim.4:10)


Well?
Are we told to "charge and teach these things" or are we told "NOT to charge and teach these things"? (1Tim.4:10,11).


Well? Are we?

shalom

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Jewish Blessings
« Reply #3 on: March 29, 2006, 07:17:54 PM »

Quote from: Tony N
Just kind of curious how one pronounces "L-rd" and "G-d" do you say "Lhyphenrd" and "Ghyphend" when you recite the prayer?



Both words are pronounced with an "o", as you would say them  in English.  The use of an "-"  or "*" , in writing these words, is a custom  Jews use to remind ourselves of  the Mitzvot (Commandment:  Deut 12:2-4) which forbids the desecration of the printed Name of G-d.

As soon as I have time, I'll add a Sticky to explain further.


Kind regards,
Shalom
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Tony N

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Jewish Blessings
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2006, 05:38:18 AM »

Hi Shalom,
Yes, I understand the Scripture which states:

Exo 20:7 You shall not take up the name of Yahweh your Elohim for futility, for Yahweh shall not hold innocent him who takes up His name for futility.

Exo 20:7 לא תשׂא את־שׁם־יהוה אלהיך לשׁוא כי לא ינקה יהוה את אשׁר־ישׂא את־שׁמו לשׁוא׃

But Yahweh's name is not "God" nor "Lord." The way I understand it, the Jew is permitted to say "Adomai" or write the word "Adonai" out.

The terms "God" and "Lord" are not names but titles.

Notice in 20:7 where "Yahweh" is His name and "Elohim" is a title, not a name. Elohim is "God" and if in lowercase "elohim" it would be known as an idol or false god some people would worship rather than the One true Elohim.
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Did God say that He "will have all mankind to be saved" or that He "will NOT have all mankind to be saved? (1Tim.2:4-6]
Did God say He IS the Saviour of all mankind, or that He "is NOT the Saviour of all mankind? (1Tim.4:10)


Well?
Are we told to "charge and teach these things" or are we told "NOT to charge and teach these things"? (1Tim.4:10,11).


Well? Are we?

shalom

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Jewish Blessings
« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2006, 11:22:32 AM »

Quote from: Tony N
Hi Shalom,
Yes, I understand the Scripture which states: ......



Please see the sticky:  The "-"  in G-d.

It explains why I to use a "-" when writing/typing both words:  G-d and L-rd.


Shalom
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Shalom-שלום_אתם

Zagzagel

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Jewish Blessings
« Reply #6 on: March 30, 2006, 11:19:00 PM »

Per under discussion of Shalom and Tony....I don't care..I will praise and give thanks for every and any detail of lfe under sun or moon...blessed be HIS NAME
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Cheers.  :)  Be well.  Live better!
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