בס”ד
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A Blessing Is Not Magic — It’s Awareness of G-d
Let’s understand something together:
What actually is a blessing? Or in Hebrew: a beracha?
A blessing—whether it’s for food, a beautiful view, or something else—is awareness of G-d. That’s it. It’s not Hocus Pocus, it’s not magic, it’s not a guarantee that everything will turn out fine. It’s simply a conscious act in which you say: “I recognize this comes from G-d.”
“A blessing is a channel. A mindful moment. A meeting with G-d in the ordinary.”
Types of Blessings
Jewish tradition teaches that there are three main categories of blessings (berachot):
1. For Mitzvot – Commandments
These are blessings said before fulfilling a commandment—like lighting Shabbat candles or washing the hands (netilat yadayim).
For Jews, the formula is:
“Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to…”
But for Bnei Noach (non-Jews), this is not appropriate. saying such a formula would be false, because Bnei Noach are not commanded in these mitzvot—though they may voluntarily take some of them on ( Rambam Laws of Kings 10:10). Even then, the blessing should not be said, and it’s always best to consult a Rabbi when a non-Jew wishes to observe certain mitzvot.
2. For Benefit – Food, Drink, and Smell
These blessings are based on logic and Bnei Noach can/must say them. The Talmud (Brachot 35a) states:
It is forbidden for a person to benefit from the world without reciting a blessing.
As Psalm 24:1 teaches:
“To G-d belongs the earth and all it contains.”
And Psalm 115:16 adds:
“The heavens are the heavens of G-d, but the earth He has given to mankind.”
So before we eat or drink, we all should acknowledge: this comes from Him.Reciting a blessing is like asking permission from God to benefit from His world.
Examples of blessings before eating:
- Fruits of the earth – Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe Who creates fruits of the earth
- Fruits of trees – “Who creates fruits of the trees”
- Pastries – “Who creates different kinds of foods”
- General – “That everything came into being by His word”
- Wine – “Who creates the fruit of the vine”
- Bread – “Who brings forth bread from the earth”
After eating:
- Abraham said:
“Blessed is the L-rd of the world, from whom we ate” (Genesis Rabba 49:4)
- Another blessing:
“Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, Master of this bread” (Brachot 40b)
- For smaller meals: “borei nefashot” (a general after-blessing).
(Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who creates numerous living beings and their needs, for all that You have created with which to sustain the soul of every living being. Blessed is the Life of the worlds.)
For fragrance:
“Who creates various kinds of spices.”
3. For Events – Good and Bad
Blessings are also said over powerful experiences and natural phenomena:
- Good news for yourself –
“Who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this time”
- Good news for you and others –
“Who is good and does good”
- Bad news –
“Who is the true Judge”
- Thunder or earthquakes –
“Whose strength and might fill the world”
- Lightning or shooting stars –
“Who makes the work of creation”
- Rainbows –
“Who remembers the covenant, is faithful to His covenant, and upholds His word”
- Blossoming trees in Nissan (spring) –
A blessing is said recognizing the miracle of renewal.
All these types of blessings are considered logical obligations, which do apply to Bnei Noach (Ramban on Genesis 6:13 on the concept of logical obligations for non Jews).
Who Instituted These Blessings?
Blessings were established by the Men of the Great Assembly, and are one of the Seven Rabbinic Commandments:
- Shabbat candles
- Eruvin
- Hallel
- Blessings
- Hand washing (netilat yadayim)
- Chanukkah
- Purim
Their structure is carefully crafted. The Talmud (Brachot 40b) states:
- A blessing without G-d’s name and sovereignty is not valid.
- Some blessings begin and end with “Blessed are You…”
- Some only begin, and
- Some only end.
One may not alter the structure of a blessing.
The Shulchan Aruch HaRav (Orach Chaim 46:6) rules that you must not invent new blessings. A debated example is the morning blessing “Who gives the weary strength.”
Moreover, Bnei Noach are not obligated in rabbinic laws, but may voluntarily express gratitude and awareness—without altering the halachic forms, this means that a praise or petition can be pronounced in any language and form (May it be Your will that ….), but not altering a blessing, like “Blessed are you … That creates new cars for me”.
The Mysticism Behind Each Word
Let’s revisit the structure of a blessing and dig deeper into its meaning:
- “Baruch” (Blessed) – Comes from breicha, a channel. A blessing is a channel of divine flow into the world.
- “Atah” (You) – Refers to God directly (His Essence), on a level beyond names, beyond definitions.
- “Adonai / YHVH” – The Tetragrammaton, indicating infinity and transcendence.
- “Eloheinu” (Our G-d) – The Divine as it is manifest within nature. The name Elokim shares the same numerical value as HaTeva (Nature = 86).
- “Melech ha’Olam” (King of the Universe) – Expresses G-d’s sovereignty over all reality, intimately involved.
There are those who spend an hour reciting the blessing before eating or drinking. Though it is not common behaviour, it shows how carefully one should consider each blessing.
To Conclude – Blessing Is Living with Awareness
Imagine someone sees you take a cup of tea with your right hand and say something aloud. They ask, “Are you talking to your tea?” And you answer:
“No—I’m talking to G-d. I’m thanking Him that I have tea.”
What have you just done?
You’ve brought G-d-consciousness into the world.
Not just for yourself—but even the other person might pause and think,
“Why am I not grateful?”
That’s the simple yet profound effect of a blessing.
Whether you say one before a meal, after a powerful moment, or when seeing a rainbow—you are connecting to something far greater than yourself.
No magic. No guarantee. Just: G-d in your moment.
This blog accompanies the lesson by Rabbi Tuvia Serber. It is highly recommended to watch the full lesson on YouTube.
With thanks to Rabbi Tuvia Serber for giving the lesson and providing feedback on this blog.
More shiurim of Rabbi Tuvia Serber
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