My son recently got a new job as a pre-K teacher at a Jewish school. He loves the job and said that he is learning the meal blessings that the children are being taught.
This made me think of how devoted I am to thanking God for His gifts. The Jewish kids pray before every meal, no matter how big or small. A meal or snack, it doesn’t matter, they call down the blessings of God upon these gifts.
Do we thank God? We Catholics pray Grace before meals (bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts…), and some few pray after meal grace (we give Thee thanks Almighty God…). But, what about all those other ‘meals’? Snacks and drinks?
What isn’t a gift from God for which we should give thanks?
Let’s start simple. Start by spending a moment to give thanks before all ‘meals’ to the God Who has provided those gifts.
Look at the Jewish prayers below as a kick starter. Pray before eating a cookie, drinking a glass of wine, a big Thanksgiving meal or a glass of water…recognize God for His gifts and give thanks to Him.
BREAD: Barukh ata Adonai to melekh ha’olam hamotzi lehem min ha’aretz.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.
WINE AND GRAPE JUICE: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam borei p’ri hagafen.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.
FRUIT: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam borei p’ri ha’eitz.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the tree.
VEGETABLES: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam borei p’ri ha’adamah.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the ground.
Grains: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam borei minei mezonot.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates varieties of nourishment.
Miscellaneous Foods (meat, poultry, eggs, fish, dairy, candy etc): Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam shehakol niyah bidvaro.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, at whose word all came to be.