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- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
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- Berachot - Blessings
Judaism is a matter of proper values and balance in life. Therefore any overt and extreme reliance on blessings of humans, no matter how great and holy the blessng personage may be, is contrary to the balanced view of life that Torah preaches. A man once approached the veneravble and sainted Chafetz Chaim, Rabbi Yusreal Meir Kagan, and asked him for a blessing that a certain venture upon which he was embarking succeed. The Chafetz Chaim said to him: "I don't understand your logic in this matter of asking me for a blessing. It is analagous to one pauper asking another poverty stricken person for a generous donation. Why don't you ask the one most wealthy of all (the Lord) directly for His donation and blessing?" Judaism always feared the introduction of intermediaries between God and humans. One may certainly ask for a blessing from a holy person (or any other person for that matter) but that is a matter of good will and not one of certainty. Though in the words of the Talmud the righteous can command and Heaven fulfills that command, nevertheless it is only God's blessings that so to speak are reliable without doubt or exception. Judaism demands that one come to terms, so to speak, with Godc and not to substitute humans for the neceesary relationship with God. Rambam posits that this was the basic beginning fundamental error of paganism and idolatry. The original star worshippers knew there was a God but thought that the way to worship that God was by worshipping what He had created. Judaism affords no room for any types of intermediaries.
Blessings administered by humans create a more serene atmosphere in human society. Harsh words and bitter statements poison our society. The rabbis of the Mishna and the Talmud admonished all to greet others, Jews ande non-Jews alike, with pleasant countenace and words of blessing. The universal and ubiquitous Jewish greeting of "shalom aleichem" - peace be unto you - is one of our most ancient forms of blessing. Thus giving or receiving words of blessing from one human being to anoither is itself a blessing to those involved and to society generally. It matters little if the actual words of blessing are truly fulfilled and enacted in one' s life. It matters greatly that such words of blessing are uttered with true intent and conviction. We have an idiom that is common in the English language that reflects this truism. When we meet someone we inquire of that person "What is the good word?" The "good word" is always one of blessing, assurance and hope. So it is obvious that blessings and words of blessing are truly important in our personal and general lives. That is why the Jewish New Year is always ushered in with sincere words of blessing between one another. And so may it continue to be
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Hosha'ana Rabba FLYDUBAI & HOSHANA RABBA- ANI VAHU HOSHIA NA- I & HIM SAVE US
"Ani vaHu Hoshia Na", "I and Him, Save Us". We don't just pray to Him, but we also pray to and for ourselves that we should emulate and educate our children to have that instinctive altruism with which He created the world. President Trump seemed amused about Yaniv Hayon, our PLUMBER who confidently worked with G-d like Superman (he learned from a pilot on a TV show!) to save 174 lives on the Dubai hijacking, but we in Israel are totally accustomed already 78 years to our plumbers, teachers, garbage-men, rabbis, farmers & doctors being Hashem's shlichim! This is what Zionism is about.
Moreshet Shaul Hashem Is your Shadow – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 420 – an address from 1941
P'ninat Mishpat A Non-Contractor in Changing Times – part I
(based on ruling 85128 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Moreshet Shaul Our King on Rosh Hashana, Our Father on Yom Kippur.
Based on Aroch Siach, p. 221 (Rav Shaul Yisraeli)
