#BlogElul 27: Bless

Just as Julie Andrews, in The Sound of Music, sings about her favorite things -- raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, brown paper packages -- these are a few of my favorite blessings:

For New, Special, and First-time-this-year Events

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, 

shehecheyanu, v'kiy'manu, v'higianu laz'man hazeh.

We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this time of joy.

For Making Me a Jew

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, she-asani Yisrael.

Praised be You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe, who has made me a Jew.

Upon Seeing a Rainbow

Baruch atah Adonai Elo-heinu melech haolam, zocher ha'brit v'ne'eman bivrito v'kayam b'ma'amaro. 

We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe, who remembers, is faithful to, and fulfills Your covenant with and promise to creation.

For the Czar

Baruch ata Adonai Elo-heinu melech haolam, who blesses and keeps the czar…far away from us!

May the new year bring us countless opportunities to recite our favorite blessings! 

Inspired by Ima on (and off) the Bima, this #BlogElul post is one in a series marking the days of the Hebrew month of Elul, which precedes the Jewish High Holidays and traditionally serves as a time of reflection and spiritual preparation for the new year.