ברכה

בְּרָכָהf. (b. h.; ברך) 1) blessing, bestowal of prosperity, good wishes, choice, plenty. Keth.5a הואיל … ב׳ לדגים because on it the blessing was given to the fish (Gen. 1:22, to be fruitful). Y. ib. I, beg.24d אין כתיב ב׳וכ׳ the blessing (Gen. 2:3) refers not to man but to the day.Erub.63b, a. fr. תבא עליו ב׳ blessing rest upon him (he acts rightly). Keth.103a; B. Bath. 144b בִּרְכַת הבית ברובה the blessing of a house consists in the number of inmates (every member of a household contributes to its comfort); Tosef.Keth.XII, 3 ב׳ הבית מרובה. B. Mets.42a אין הב׳ מצוייהוכ׳ blessing (unexpected supply, miraculous increase) will not take place in things which are weighed ; Taan.8b; a. fr.Pes.50b, a. fr. אינו רואה סימן ב׳ לעולם will never see a sign of prosperity; a. fr. 2) benediction, prayer to be recited on certain occasions. Ber.35a man must not taste anything בלא ב׳ without a blessing. Ib. 40b כל ב׳ שאיןוכ׳ a benediction in which the Name of the Lord is not invoked, is no benediction; a. fr.Pl. בְּרָכוֹת. 1) blessings, benedictions. Ib. 45b; a. v. fr.Sabb.115b כותבי ב׳ those who write out the formulas of prayer. 2) Brakhoth, the first treatise of the Mishnah, Talmud, a. Tosefta.Compounds: בִּרְכַת אבלים the prayer for consolation inserted in the mourners grace after meal. Keth.8b; a. fr.ב׳ ארוסין benediction preceding betrothal, v. אֵרוּסִין Ib. 7b.ב׳ הארץ that portion of the grace after meal which refers to Palestine. Ib. 8b.ב׳ הזבח the benediction before partaking of the festive offering (חֲגִיגָה) which accompanies the Paschal lamb. Pes.X, 9 (120a).ב׳ הזימון the appeal to the partakers of a meal to say grace, common prayer. Ber.45b.ב׳ חתנים benediction on performing the marriage ceremony, also inserted in the grace after wedding meals during seven days. Keth.8b.ב׳ כהנים the priestly benediction (Num. 6:24–26). Sot.VII, 6.ב׳ המזון grace after meal. Keth. l. c.ב׳ המצוות benediction on performing a divine command (of a symbolic nature). Ib. 7b.ב׳ רחבה benediction of consolation pronounced in open air on the mourners return from burial (v. הַבְרָאָה). Ib. 8b.ב׳ התורה benediction before and after reading the Law. Y.Ber.I, 3c.(For other compounds see the respective determinants. 3) blasphemy. בִּרְכַת השם. Snh.56a sq.; (Tosef.Ab. Zar. VIII (IX), 4 קיללת).