Berakhah

In Judaism, a berakhah, bracha, brokho, brokhe (בְּרָכָה; pl. , berakhot, brokhoys; "benediction," "blessing") is a formula of blessing or thanksgiving, recited in public or private, usually before the performance of a commandment, or the enjoyment of food or fragrance, and in praise on various occasions. The function of a berakhah is to acknowledge God as the source of all blessing. It can be both a declaration of dependence and an expression of gratitude for God and his gifts. Berakhot also have an educational function to transform a variety of everyday actions and occurrences into religious experiences designed to increase awareness of God at all times. For this purpose, the Talmudic sage, Rabbi Meir, declared that it was the duty of every Jew to recite one hundred berakhot every day. The Mishnah of tractate Berakhot, and the gemara in both Talmuds contain detailed rabbinical discussions of berakhot, upon which the laws and practice of reciting blessings are founded. Berakhot typically start with the words "Blessed are You, Lord our God..." One who hears another recite a berakhah answers with amen; but one who is engaged in prayer may at certain points be forbidden from other speech, including responding amen. With few exceptions, one does not respond amen to his or her own berakha, although other prayers—such as the kaddish—include "amen" in their text. List of Jewish prayers and blessings There are three major categories of berakhah: on pleasurable experiences (ברכות הנהנין birkhot ha'nehenin) such as before eating food or smelling fragrances when performing a commandment (Hebrew: birkhot hamitzvot) such as the lighting of Sabbath candles in praise, gratitude or recognition of God's justice (Hebrew: birkhot ha'shevach v'ha'hodaya) such as upon seeing awe-inspring natural phenomena, or upon hearing very good or very bad news. Blessings over food are intended to sanctify the physical act of taking nourishment, those recited before performing a commandment serve to prevent the performance of the activity in an unthinking, rote way, and the blessings of praise serve to remind people of the presence of God in all situations.