Spring Is In The Air!

Spring is in the air and so are allergies. But did you know that it’s a mitzvah to say a blessing the first time you see a tree bloom in the spring?

“Baruch Atah Adonai

Eleheinu Melec ha’olam,

Shevara vo b’riyot tovot v’ilanot tovim

L’hanot bahem b’nei adam.

Thank you, God, for creating beautiful creatures and goodly trees, so we may enjoy them.

Here’s a photo in my backyard of my cherry tree with a bird’s nest snuggled inside the branches.

 

 

Maybe springtime is God’s reward to us for suffering through a long, cold winter. The Jewish people have blessings for just about everything. When we see a glowing sunset, a majestic mountain, or even when we hear the roar of thunder and a powerful crack of lighting, we are reminded of God’s creative power (and crazy St. Louis weather). We say:

Barach Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha’olam

Oseh ma’aseh v’reishit.

 

Thank you, God, for the world You have created. Help us to protect and preserve it for future generations.

And when we escape danger or recover from illness, we are grateful, and say:

 Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, sheg’malani kol tov.

 

Thank you, God, for Your comfort in my time of fear and Your kindness in my time of need.

 

And, at all times, we say this blessing for peace:

 

Oseh Shalom bimromov,

Hu ya’aseh shalom aleinu,

V’al kol Yisra’el, v’imru amen.

 

Grant us peace, Oh God.

Peace among the countries of the world.

Peace with our neighbors and friends.

Peace for our home and our family.

Peace with ourselves.

Amen.