The Beginner's Guide: Why Do We Make a Blessing for Everything in Judaism? Does It Really Matter to Hashem?

Almost everything in Judaism requires a blessing – before eating or drinking, when smelling a pleasant scent, hearing lightning or thunder, seeing a country's king, after leaving the restroom, when passing a place where a miracle occurred for us, and even when going to the zoo and seeing an elephant or monkey! Is it really necessary to bless so many times throughout the day?

Hashem is perfect, lacking nothing and needing nothing, and he does not need a 'kind word' from us. The blessings are intended for us, and serve several purposes.

By making blessings throughout the day, we learn to appreciate all the gifts given to us, we learn to observe and not take anything for granted. We say thank you for a piece of bread, for a cup of coffee, for the ability to go to the bathroom and for the wonderful smell of rosemary. Pausing for a moment and saying 'thank you' teaches our soul to appreciate. When we appreciate what we have, we enjoy life itself more. (This is not the goal of the mitzvah, but an added value we gain from it).

The brief pause of saying thank you with intention and sincerity, removes the trait of ingratitude from a person and instead instills a nature of gratitude. The blessing on enjoyment reminds us to acknowledge the kindness that Hashem showers upon us, and develops within us the trait of recognizing good and appreciating it. All of this is also part of refining one's character and the work of self-improvement.

Additionally, our sages instituted the 'blessings of enjoyment' for the joy a person derives, as stated in the Talmud, "It is forbidden for a person to enjoy this world without a blessing" (Berachot 35a). The blessing expresses our recognition that the entire creation belongs to Hashem, as King David said, "The earth is Hashem's and everything in it" (Psalms 24).

There is a verse in Psalms that reads "The heavens are the heavens of Hashem, but the earth He has given to humankind" (Psalms 115), and the sages explain that before the blessing, everything belongs to Hashem, and after the blessing, permission is given to enjoy this world. To such an extent that our sages said that one who does not bless is like a thief, "All who enjoy this world without a blessing is as if they steal from Hashem and the congregation of Israel" (Berachot 35b).

Likewise, every blessing is a direct conversation with Hashem, creating another point of connection between us and Him. The blessings form a relationship, a closeness with the Creator of the world.

Saying blessings also aids in the development of self-control within a person. When a person knows that before they eat or drink, they need to pause and say a blessing, their personality gains a nature of controlling instincts.

If we delve briefly into the mystical dimension, the sages explain that sometimes a soul is reincarnated into living or plant matter for its rectification. When a Jew blesses before eating, they rectify the spiritual part present in that food, helping it reach its perfect rectification.

The Weekly Challenge

Every day, make a blessing on your first cup of coffee: "Blessed are You, Hashem our God, King of the universe, by whose word everything comes into being,". If you skip caffeine – make the appropriate blessing over the first food or drink of the morning.

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