FATHERS

Dear Family,

I hope everyone is well.

Mazal Tov to Mariasha and Hirshy on their Anniversary tomorrow. Wishing you many more happy years together with much achievement.

Mazal Tov to Mendel and Freida who also have their Anniversary next week. And in addition they have the Pidyan Haben for Dovber BEH. Wishing you a beautiful week of celebration, and many more celebrations together in the future!

Mazal Tov to Zalmy for your birthday this coming week, and for completing your year and exams at University. Wishing you hatzlochah with the results, and continued growth and development, with joy.

What has been foremost about this week has been GRATITUDE.

There were lots of good expressions of gratitude and love on father's day, and what has in particular come past me is the GRATITUDE TO HASHEM, OUR FATHER, which we express by thanking Him, through BROCHOS for all He gives us.

In relation to the above, I kept seeing a poster this week with the following points:

1. Don't take life for granted. Give thanks to Hashem (Ezra 10:11)
2. Our Sages teach us that all brochos (blessings) have the ability to protect us from illness, and ensure our continued good health. This is especially true of the brocha 'asher yatzar' (see text below), which was written to praise Hashem for His marvellous creation - THE HUMAN BODY (Sefer Seder Hayom)

The poster went on to say that if we would only stop for a moment to really think about the wonderous and miraculous nature of the human body, we would clearly see the work of G-d.

As the posuk says ' Through my body I see the Creator' (Job 19:26)

And so all the prescribed brochos that have been handed down to us by the Sages (and some which are direct from Torah), are a great opportunity to EXPRESS OUR LOVE AND GRATITUDE TO HASHEM OUR FATHER, AND WITH MUCH JOY.

The following halachos relating to brochos are therefore important:

1. It is forbidden to do any manner of work while reciting a brocha.
2. It is preferable to look in and read the brocha rather than reciting it by heart.
3. Brochos should not be said as a matter of habit, flippantly, or without proper concentration.
4. Rather we should direct our feelings towards Hashem, thanking Him for the goodness He has bestowed.

The particular Blessing that was addressed was as follows:

'Blessed are you Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, who has formed man in wisdom, and created within him numerous apertures and cavities. It is revealed and known before the Throne of Your Glory, that if but one of them were to be blocked, or one of them were to be opened, it would be impossible to exist even for a short while.

Blessed are You, Lord, who heals all flesh and performs wonders.'

The brocha is said each time we complete our daily bodily needs, after washing hands.

Gut Shabbos to all.