Last week, after our discussion(s) of Psalm 20, certain questions came up and we decided that we would address the "Morning Blessings" this week. By that we are not referring to the 14/15 blessings that we recite (or the Prayer Leader does, and we respond "Amen") at the beginning of the Shakharit minyan; rather what we (should) recite as we first begin our day - as our feet hit the floor... We begin with Modeh Ani as we fetch our kippah and greet the day.
Here are those Prayers/Blessings with an English translation under the Hebrew. First we read, then we re-read to gain our personal understanding and then... then we discuss and digest and discuss and analyze and dissect and - perhaps - enter into "Pilpul". You know, maybe, from 'pilpul'? How about: minutiae? [and how Chazal make the minutiae into mountains...]
In any case, I apologize for the strange arrangement above. It is one thing to start on the right (in the Hebrew; the 'correct') side; but then the third page is on the upper left with the second page below. You have probably figured that out for yourself by now - still it was not my intent to have that kind of an arrangement.
There are a lot of 'things' to consider here and I am tempted to leave you with little commentary on my part in the hope that you will stop and consider these Blessings and think upon their meaning to you - today - at this time in your life - with all your interests and concerns and problems and your very own minutiae to contend with [and remember last weeks discussion of Psalm 20]. But, as it relates to this weeks Torah Reading (Vayeshev), we are told that because Jacob sought a peaceful life in his later years and was confounded with the loss of Joseph, that we learn that this world is for our labor and peace and rest is for us in the next. In other words: spend some time learning Torah and begin each day by learning the Morning Blessings.
Here are those Prayers/Blessings with an English translation under the Hebrew. First we read, then we re-read to gain our personal understanding and then... then we discuss and digest and discuss and analyze and dissect and - perhaps - enter into "Pilpul". You know, maybe, from 'pilpul'? How about: minutiae? [and how Chazal make the minutiae into mountains...]
In any case, I apologize for the strange arrangement above. It is one thing to start on the right (in the Hebrew; the 'correct') side; but then the third page is on the upper left with the second page below. You have probably figured that out for yourself by now - still it was not my intent to have that kind of an arrangement.
There are a lot of 'things' to consider here and I am tempted to leave you with little commentary on my part in the hope that you will stop and consider these Blessings and think upon their meaning to you - today - at this time in your life - with all your interests and concerns and problems and your very own minutiae to contend with [and remember last weeks discussion of Psalm 20]. But, as it relates to this weeks Torah Reading (Vayeshev), we are told that because Jacob sought a peaceful life in his later years and was confounded with the loss of Joseph, that we learn that this world is for our labor and peace and rest is for us in the next. In other words: spend some time learning Torah and begin each day by learning the Morning Blessings.
Shalom
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