"V'atah Yisrael mah HaShem Elokecha sho'eil mei'imach" (Devarim 10,12)
Rabbi Meir (Menochos 43b) derives from this verse the allusion to the halacha of reciting one hundred brachos daily.
The word "mah" מה is to be read "meah" מאה meaning one hundred. Or the transmutation system of "atbash" where the last letter of the alphabet is transformed to the first, and so on; the letters "Mem-Hei" (mah) turn into "Yud-Tzaddi," which adds up to one hundred. Another hint to the 100 daily blessings is from Tehilim 128:4 "Hinei KI CHEIN y'vorach gaver." The letters of "ki chein," Kof-Yud-Chof-Nun, add up to 100, "y'vorach gaver", a man should bless. Also, when we say "modim" we mean to say that we thank HaShem with 100 blessings, the numerical value of "modim," Mem-Vov-Dalet-Yud-Mem. (40+6+4+10+40 = 100). Also, the maximum height in the Beis haMikdash was 100 amos.
The concept is a very old concept. There are four major opinions on the period in history that this concept originated.
- Moshe Rabeinu established 100 blessings per day (some connect this concept to the 100 sockets in the Mishkan).
- Dovid haMelech established 100 blessings a day in response to the plague that took 100 Jewish lives each day.
- Anshe Kenesses haGadolah decreed 100 blessings a day.
- Rabbi Meir established this concept in the time of the Mishnah.
Obligation to Say 100 Blessings a Day
Some say this obligation is a complete individual daily obligation. Others say this obligation is only Midas haChasidus. Many poskim comment that one should complete the 100 blessings each day. Some even say that the danger from the times of Dovid remains.
According to most the mitzvah of saying 100 blessings is from the Chachumim. Therefore, if one is in doubt if one completed the count, one does not need to search for additional blessings. However, a few declare the mitzvah is from the Torah. Further, there are different opinions if women are obligation or not in this concept.
No obligation to say more than 100 blessings in a day. However, it is praiseworthy to continue and say more blessings if one already completed the count of 100.
Time Period for 100 Blessings
The counting begins with the beginning of the night and concludes at the end of the following day since most concepts the day follows the night. A few Poskim state that the count begins in the morning and in time of great need, one can rely on this opinion.
Blessings that Contribute to the Count of 100 Blessings
All blessings contribute to the count, including blessings upon Mitzvos, blessings of benefit, blessings of praise, and even blessings one does for another person.
A blessing must contain Shem and Malchus (Name of G-d and reference to His Kingship). Without these references they are not considered a blessing and are not counted. For example, stating ברוך דין ואמת would not count as a blessing.
Most would count a “long” and “short” blessing combination (such as the blessings at the beginning and end of אשר יצר) as only one blessing.
In the event that one forgets an addition and was required to repeat a set of blessings (such as forgetting to say יעלה ויבא in the Amidah or רצה in Birchas haMazon) both sets of blessings would count toward the 100 blessings.
Most Poskim state that one who hears a blessing and answers “Amen” counts this as a blessing, even when not obligated in the blessing. For example, answering to another saying a blessing over food, or to the reading of the Torah.
Table of common daily blessings
Amidah57 (19 x 3)28 (7 x 4)2835 (7 x 5)57Krias Shema77777HaMapil11111Morning Blessings2020201920Talis & Tefillin21112Pesukei d’Zimra22222Kiddush-33--Hallel--2--Meals-18 (6 x 3)12--TOTAL:8980766589Many customs exist, where a few additional blessings are said
Sources of possible additional blessings to reach 100:
- Havdalah
- אשר יצר additional times during the day
- Blessings before and after consuming foods or drinks
- Blessing over spices
- Meals (Netilas Yadayim, haMotzei, four blessings of Bircas haMazon)
- Amen to the blessings of others (i.e. when they eat food or when putting on their Talis)
- Amen to blessings of Torah and Haftorah
A difference of opinions exists whether to count the answering of the blessings of the repetition of the Amidah, since nowadays everyone has already fulfilled their obligation with their personal Amidah
וְעַתָה יִׂשְרָאֵל מָה יְ_ֹוָה אֱלֹקֶ יךָ שאֵל מֵעִׂמָךְ כִׂי אִׂם-לְיִׂרְ אָה אֶת-יְ_ֹוָה אֱלֹקֶ יךָ לָלֶכֶת בְכָל-דְרָכָיו וּלְאַהֲבָה אֹתוֹ וְלַעֲבֹד אֶת-יְ_ֹוָה אֱלֹקֶ יךָ בְכָל-לְבָבְךָ וּבְכָל-נַפְשֶךָ (דברים י, יב)
Five different derivations from this same Pasuk
- Chaza”l derive from the word עתה the concept of teshuvah “Now.”
- Rabbi Yonasan Eibishitz emphasizes the word אם (41) to indicate the majority of one’s life that one can fear HaShem, then one can be assured not to turn to sin for balance of one’s life.
- Noda beYehuda explains the words שואל מעמך. In all matters of the world HaShem preceded man with bestowing good. However, in the matter of fearing HaShem then we can act first.
- Rabbi Eliezer Friedman expounds the word את that the fear of HaShem is expressed how one interacts with Talmedei Chachumim: with awe of them; learning from their actions; and giving them honor.
- Chazal also express that the word מה should be read as מאה (100), that we should make 100 blessings a day. The verse has 99 letters and adding the א makes 100. The missing letter emphasizes that the concept is not just to make blessings without intention, but one needs to focus on the אחד in every blessing.
Additional Source:
Emes V’Yatziv (אמת ויציב) immediately after the Shema in Shacharis:
- 16 Vav’s (ו) each valued at 6 = 90
- Plus, two ה (הדבר הזה) valued at 5 each equal 10 90+10 = 100
