What Blessings Will We Say When the Messiah Arrives?

Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, one of the great Torah scholars of the previous generation, discussed in his volume "Responsa Minchat Shlomo" (Part 1, Siman 91) the statements of Rabbi Shmuel Hominor regarding the blessings that will be recited at the revelation of the Messiah.

The first blessing: "Blessed are You, Hashem, our God, King of the Universe, Who is wise in secrets".

This blessing is recited when 600,000 Jews are gathered together, as stated in the Shulchan Aruch: "One who sees 600,000 individuals together, if they are from Israel – blesses: Blessed... wise in secrets." This signifies that all the faces and opinions of the Israel populace are represented within this multitude, yet Hashem knows the heart of each individual, as it is said, "Who forms the hearts of all, Who understands all their deeds," and thus we bless "wise in secrets." Therefore, it is fitting to bless this when greeting the Messiah, for surely there will be at least 600,000 Jews gathered.

The second blessing: "Blessed are You, Hashem, our God, King of the Universe, Who has shared from His wisdom with those who revere Him".

This is recited upon seeing a great Torah scholar. However, some authorities today advise against using the full blessing with God's name and kingdom.

We praise Hashem for sharing His wisdom with mankind. Since the Messiah's wisdom will be immense, as stated "and the spirit of Hashem shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding" (Isaiah 11:2), this blessing is appropriate in his presence.

The third blessing: "Blessed are You, Hashem, our God, King of the Universe, Who has shared from His glory with those who revere Him".

This is recited when seeing a king of Israel, although today there is no king, so this blessing waits for the future when the Messiah will reign.

Seeing a king incites awe, for he holds power. The sages ordained this blessing to remind us that true kingship belongs to Hashem, who grants a portion of His glory to mortals.

The fourth blessing: "Blessed are You, Hashem, our God, King of the Universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this time".

This blessing is a thanksgiving established for certain joy-filled moments defined in halachic texts. One instance is seeing a beloved friend after thirty days. However, there is debate nowadays about its validity due to modern communications. But upon seeing the long-awaited Messiah, we certainly recite "Shehecheyanu."

Some have argued for a fifth blessing – the blessing of "Redeemer of Israel." Rabbi Chaim Palagi, one of the great Sephardic sages of recent generations, writes in "Lev Chaim" (Part 2, Siman 42): "It appears we bless at the Messiah's arrival with the blessing 'Redeemer of Israel' – who redeemed us from this bitter exile, as ordained in the conclusion of the Haggadah: 'We will sing a new song for our redemption and the rescue of our souls,' blessing 'Redeemer of Israel,' as will also occur in the future redemption, speedily in our days, Amen" (Part 2, Siman 42). The wording of the blessing, as presented in the Haggadah: "Blessed are You, Hashem, our God, King of the Universe, who has redeemed us and our ancestors from Egypt, and brought us to this night to eat matzah and maror. So may Hashem our God and the God of our fathers bring us to other appointed times and festivals that are coming to greet us with happiness, in the rebuilding of Your city, and in rejoicing in Your service, and we may eat there of the sacrifices and Passovers whose blood will reach the wall of Your altar for favor, and we will thank You with a new song for our redemption and the rescue of our soul. Blessed are You, Hashem, Redeemer of Israel".

Do we recite a blessing upon hearing of the Messiah's arrival, even before seeing Him?

The book "Sha'ar Ha'ayin" (page 490) writes that certainly upon the very news reaching every Jew "Behold, the Messiah has come," even before seeing him personally, we would bless "Blessed are You, Hashem, our God, King of the Universe, Who is good and does good", for it is stated in the Shulchan Aruch that one blesses for any collective good news (Orach Chaim 223:2), and there is no greater good than a redeemer coming to Zion, elevating Hashem's glory in the world. It is questioned whether after the "Who is good and does good" blessing, one would also recite "Shehecheyanu" upon seeing the Messiah.

Blessing for the Resurrected

Those who rise at the Resurrection of the Dead will need to recite the blessing of "Blessed are You, Hashem, our God, King of the Universe, Who revives the dead".

(This is based on the teachings in Pirkei d'Rabbi Eliezer (chapter 31), where when the sword was upon Yitzchak Avinu's neck, his soul departed, and when it returned, he said "Blessed are You, Hashem, Who revives the dead"; and similarly, in "Derech Sicha," Part 1 (page 94) attributed to Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, it is learned that the resurrected must bless "Who revives the dead"; also mentioned in "Megdanim Chadashim - on Blessings" (in the essay on Resurrection, section 6), based on "Emunat HaTechiyah" (chapter 4), that the revived will bless "Who revives the dead," with the teachings from Pirkei d'Rabbi Eliezer cited).

When to Recite Each Blessing?

The blessing "Who revives the dead" should be recited immediately upon resurrection.
The blessing "wise in secrets" is for when 600,000 will gather.
The blessings "Who has shared from His wisdom," "Who has shared from His glory," and "Shehecheyanu" are for witnessing the Messiah.
The blessing "Redeemer of Israel" (if recited) is upon redemption itself.

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