תלמוד בבלי ברכות לה.
תְּנוּ רַבָּנָן: אָסוּר לוֹ לְאָדָם שֶׁיֵּהָנֶה מִן הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה בְּלֹא בְּרָכָה, וְכָל הַנֶּהֱנֶה מִן הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה בְּלֹא בְּרָכָה - מָעַל. מַאי תַּקַּנְתֵּיהּ - יֵלֵךְ אֵצֶל חָכָם. יֵלֵךְ אֵצֶל חָכָם - מַאי עָבִיד לֵיהּ?! הָא עָבִיד לֵיהּ אִסּוּרָא! אֶלָּא אָמַר רָבָא: יֵלֵךְ אֵצֶל חָכָם מֵעִיקָרָא וִילַמְּדֶנּוּ בְּרָכוֹת, כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יָבֹא לִידֵי מְעִילָה.
Our Rabbis have taught: It is forbidden to a person to enjoy anything of this world without a blessing, and if anyone enjoys anything of this world without a blessing, that person commits sacrilege. What is the remedy? They should consult a wise person. But what will the wise person do? The person has already committed the offence! Raba said: What this means is that one should consult a wise person beforehand, so that the wise person would teach them blessings, so that they should not commit sacrilege. [translation by Hazon. Edited for gender neutrality]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. The word "me'ilah" refers to the sin of using something holy for personal benefit. Standing in the shade of the Temple on a hot day was a me'ilah, as was eating food that had already been offered on the alter. What do you think of this idea?
2. Which sets of wise people might you consult in order to learn how to eat healthily and responsibly?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)