(1) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
(27) And God created man in His image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
In learning about B'tzelem Elohim, we came to understand we were created in the image of G-d. To be created in the image of G-d, we will learn is something to be thankful for.
Getting Started:
While you read about blessings today, try to ask yourself what the purpose of a blessing is. It may be helpful to think of the words:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ, מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
Blessed [Praised] are You, the Eternal One our God, Ruler of the Universe…
Think about how saying a blessing is like saying thank you to someone you know.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who created us with wisdom, and many openings. It is obvious and known before Your throne of glory, that if one of them did not exist, it would be impossible to survive and to stand before You. Blessed are You, God, Who heals all flesh and acts wondrously.
- Read the text closely, what does this blessing thank G-d for? How does this relate to having been created in G-d's image?
- What else does G-d provide us with?
The Sages taught that it is stated: “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:11), and it is stated: “Honor the Lord” (Proverbs 3:9).
Therefore, we say one should honor one’s father and mother in the same way one honors the Omnipresent [God], as the term “honor” is used in both cases.
Think of something your parent's gave you. It might have been a snack, a toy, or something else. Think of how thankful you were for receiving that item.
Think about it:
How did you thank your parents for what they gave you? How might you thank them for all of the intangible things they give you?
One blesses their father and mother in the same way one blesses the Omnipresent [G-d].
- What does it mean to honor one's parents? Can we honor G-d in the same way?
- How do we "bless" our parents?
…The earth is the LORD’s and all that it holds, the world and its inhabitants.
- What does this Psalm mean? How does this relate to why we say blessings?
There are three partners in the forming of a person: The Holy One, Blessed be He, who provides the soul, and his father and his mother.
When a person honors his father and mother, the Holy One, Blessed be He, says: they honor Me as well.
- Who is involved in the creation of a person? When we honor our parents, how does it honor G-d?