1 Likro et Hahallel
2 La'asot Ma'akeh
3 Hanoon Hamarbeh L'sloah
4 Al Nitilat Yadayim
5 Melekh Ohev Tzedakah U'mishpat
6 Dayan Ha'emeth
7 Leshev Ba'Sukkah
8 Lasok b'divrei Torah
9 Kiddush levana
10 Asher yatzar
11 Borei Pri Ha'eitz
12 HaMotzi
13 SheHakol Nihiyeh B'dvaro
14 Shehechiyanu
15 Lihitattef Batzitzit
16 Likboah Mezuzah
17 L'hadlik ner shel hannukah
18 She'asah nisim lavoteinu byamim hahem bazman hazeh
19 HaGomel L'Chayavim tovot, shegimalani kol tov
20 Malbish Arumim
21 L'hadlik ner shel Shabbat
22 Borei pri Hagafen
23 Hazan et HaKol
24 L'havchin bein yom u'vein layla
25 lhanot bahem b'nai adam.
26 borei minei mizonot
27 HaMachazir neshamot lifgarim matim
28 l'hachniso b'brito shel avraham avinu
29 al mikra megillah
30 shomeah tephillah
31 noten hatorah
32 sh'asani b'tzalmo
33 al biur hametz
34 al sefirat ha'omer
35 et amo yisrael bashalom.
36 Haham HaRazim
37 haolam Borei Minei Bisamim
38 matir asurim
39 shepratani meansho shel zeh
40 zokeif kifufim
41 HaBocher  b'amo yisrael b'ahava
42 hamavdil bein kodesh lechol
43 borei meorei haeish
44 magen avraham
45 shover oyvim umachnea zaydim
46 Mikadeish HaShabbat
47 boreh pri ha'adamah
48 al ha'aretz v'al hamazon
49 michayei HaMaitim
50 yotzer ha'adam
51 boneh berachamav yerushalayim
52 she'asani kirtzono

Bracha #6

This blessing can be found on page 712 of Siddur Sim Shalom.

When tragedy strikes, when we loose a loved one, when devastation befalls us from which we can make no sense we say this bracha. Ben Sira once said "we have been shown more than we can ever understand." And that is true of so much in our lives. We are privy to just a piece of the puzzle, our perspective is therefore, often confused. Life to us is much like viewing an impressionist work too close and therefore we are unable to grasp the entire picture. We are left to relinquish our need to comprehend everything to a strategy in which we leave certain ultimate reasoning to God. When faced with the harsh realities of life, philosophy falls short of consolation and we are left to comfort of friends and relatives and we leave the immense questions of the meaning of life to God.

This bracha is recited upon hearing bad news. On some level it reminds us that God is present. When we are most apt to question God as a force for good in the world. We recognize God's existence and we make the statement, "God is not neutral." Most often this bracha is recited as mourners tear a piece of clothing at a funeral in an act known as kriyah. This action represents the tear that is felt in one's life as they embark upon living their lives without the physical presence of the loved one lost.

Just as the mourners' Kaddish is recited to help us remain connected to God at a time when we are more likely to abandon God, so too this bracha helps us to recognize God's greatness and affirm God's place as supreme Ruler in the universe. In the face of tragedy we often feel alone and in a state of chaos.

This bracha affirms those feelings by telling us there is an order and God is in charge. At first blush this bracha seems harsh and cold. It seems devoid of the caring and the calm that is necessary in the face of personal suffering. But with further thought, greater understanding, its message of order and its message that there is some force greater than us in control is reassuring.

May we each find the consolation that comes from knowing we are all in God's charge and God is always with us. God is with us in the dark and in the light.

Copyright © 2001 Rabbi Yohanan Stein. All rights reserved. 

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