When the Messiah Comes: Jewish Traditions on the Blessings of Redemption

Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (1910–1995), one of the leading Torah sages of the previous generation, discusses in his work Minchat Shlomo (vol. 1, siman 91) the words of Rabbi Shmuel Hominer regarding the blessings to be recited when Mashiach is revealed.

1. Blessed are You… Knower of Secrets (Chacham HaRazim)

This blessing is recited when 600,000 Jews gather together. The Shulchan Aruch rules: “One who sees 600,000 Jews together must recite: Blessed… Knower of Secrets.”

The meaning of this blessing is that within 600,000 Israelites are represented all human faces and all possible viewpoints. God alone understands what lies in each person’s heart, as it says: “He who fashions their hearts together, He understands all their deeds” (Tehillim 33:15). This is God’s wisdom: He knows the hidden and the secret thoughts.

Since the gathering to greet Mashiach will surely draw at least 600,000 Jews — indeed, far more, the blessing Chacham HaRazim will be recited.

2. Blessed are You… Who Has Shared of His Wisdom with Those Who Fear Him

This blessing is normally recited upon seeing a great Torah scholar. In our generation, some authorities rule that it should not be recited with God’s name and kingship.

Nevertheless, this blessing praises God for sharing His wisdom with humankind. It will certainly apply when beholding Mashiach, whose wisdom will be unparalleled, as Yeshayahu (Isaiah) prophesied: “The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding” (Yeshayahu 11:2).

3. Blessed are You… Who Has Shared of His Glory with Those Who Fear Him

This blessing is recited upon seeing a king of Israel. Since no Jewish king rules in our time, it has not been recited for centuries. When Mashiach, the true King of Israel, appears, it will be restored.

Seeing a king inspires awe, as he wields great power. The blessing reminds us that ultimate sovereignty belongs only to God, who grants some measure of His glory to flesh and blood.

4. Blessed are You… Who Has Kept Us Alive and Sustained Us to Reach This Time (Shehecheyanu)

This is a blessing of thanksgiving, recited on special occasions of joy defined by Jewish law. One such case is seeing a beloved friend after thirty days apart — though modern communication has raised questions about this application.

Yet for Mashiach, long awaited for generations, there is no doubt that upon seeing him we will recite Shehecheyanu.

5. An Additional Blessing: Blessed are You… Who Redeems Israel (Ga’al Yisrael)

Some suggest an additional blessing should be said: Ga’al Yisrael — “Who has redeemed Israel.” Rabbi Chaim Palagi (1788–1868), one of the great Sephardic sages, writes in Lev Chaim (vol. 2, siman 42) that when Mashiach comes, we will bless God for redeeming us from this bitter exile, similar to the blessing in the Passover Haggadah: “And we will thank You with a new song for our redemption and the liberation of our souls. Blessed are You, Lord, Redeemer of Israel.”

A Blessing for the News of the Messiah’s Arrival

The work Sha’ar HaAyin states that on hearing the announcement “Mashiach has arrived!” — even before seeing him, one should recite: “Blessed are You… Who is good and bestows good” (HaTov VeHaMetiv). The Shulchan Aruch rules that this blessing is recited over goodness shared by many, and no good is greater than the arrival of redemption.

There remains a question whether one should then recite Shehecheyanu again upon actually seeing Mashiach.

Blessings for the Resurrection of the Dead

The resurrected themselves, when rising from the dead, will also recite a blessing: “Blessed are You… Who revives the dead.”

This is derived from Pirkei deRabbi Eliezer (ch. 31), which says that when Avraham raised the knife over Yitzchak (Isaac), Yitzchak's soul left him. When his soul returned, he recited: “Blessed are You… Who revives the dead.” Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky (1928–2022) and other authorities note that this teaches us that those who rise in the resurrection will bless God in this way.

When to Recite Each Blessing

• Mechaye HaMeitim (Who revives the dead) — recited immediately by one who rises at the resurrection.

• Chacham HaRazim (Knower of Secrets) — recited when 600,000 Jews gather at once.

• SheChalek MeChochmato (Who has shared of His wisdom), SheChalek MeChvodo (Who has shared of His glory), and Shehecheyanu (Who has kept us alive) — recited upon seeing Mashiach.

• Ga’al Yisrael (Redeemer of Israel, according to those who rule so) — recited on the redemption itself.