On Friday, the 21st of Av, we mark the yahrzeit of Rav Aharon of Belz, one of the greatest Admorim of the pre- and postwar era who rebuilt from the ashes of the Holocaust, and who was known for his tremendous kedushah and taharah. In this essay, we examine vignettes from the teachings of the Belzer Rav as they relate to the topic of berachos.
Matters of Blessings
Chazal tell us (Bava Kamma 30a) that one who wishes to be pious should fulfill the matters of berachos (there are two other opinions in the Gemara regarding this). The Maharsha explains that berachos are meant to address our relationship with the Ribbono shel Olam—to give thanks to the Ribbono shel Olam, to talk to Him, and to remember that everything we have is from Him.
The Belzer Rav was extremely meticulous when it came to berachos. Aside from his total mastery of the various opinions in the poskim regarding berachos, he was extremely machmir in all matters related to this, often forgoing eating entirely if he couldn’t satisfy all opinions.
One illustrative incident occurred when he visited the Chofetz Chaim. The Belzer Rav took some of the food that was offered to him, and commented, “It seems to me that there’s an adequate shiur for me to recite a berachah on this.” The Chofetz Chaim was surprised, for, as he said to the Rav, the halachah is that we recite a berachah rishonah even for a morsel of food. The Belzer Rav replied, “Yes, that’s true, but there’s one opinion that holds one should recite a berachah only on a proper shiur.” Said the Chofetz Chaim, “Had I known that there’s one person in the world who conducts himself according to this opinion, I would have cited it in the Mishnah Berurah.”
Pausing in Prayer
There are so many aspects of berachos that apply to us on a daily basis, and if a person were to choose an aspect of berachos in which to be vigilant and meticulous, it would elevate him so much and make him a far greater שמים ירא. The Maharsha explains that doing so creates a greater connection to the Ribbono shel Olam.
In addition, berachos cause a person to pause and contemplate. One of the reasons Chazal instituted blessings is so that a person will remember Who gave him his food, and that He is here with him right now. This elevates the person and refines him—and the food that he eats thereafter won’t lead him to become materialistic (as indulging may do to a person).
A person who accepts upon himself to be more vigilant in berachos earns the title of chassid, a pious person, and this leads to ruach hakodesh, as Chazal tell us. There are many levels in this, of course. The Beis Aharon explained that the meaning of the words הקודש רוח are “a holy desire.” That is, when a person has holy desires and leanings, it is a form of ruach hakodesh. Indeed, the food that one eats has great influence over him, and it can pull him toward holiness.
One Hundred Connections
Through berachos, a person builds his connection with the Ribbono shel Olam, and this connection permeates every area of our lives—the shefa that one receives, the siyata diShmaya that one merits to acquire all the things that he needs. A person needs kochos to wake up in the morning and to refrain from doing things he shouldn’t. These kochos can be acquired only when we’re close to the Ribbono shel Olam—and berachos, in which we proclaim the greatness and sovereignty of Hashem—are the greatest vehicle for this.
When we think about it, we will see that berachos are prominent in our lives throughout our day. Every time we eat and drink, there are berachos for us to recited both before and after eating and drinking... our tefillos are dotted with berachos throughout, and we close our day with the blessing of HaMapil. We’re constantly encountering the Ribbono shel Olam, and when we say these berachos with the proper intention and thought, remembering that Hashem is with us, and thanking Him with joy, something wonderful is built within us—it permeates us with light, and brings us blessing even in areas that we never thought about. This shefa comes to us because we are very close to the Ribbono shel Olam.
A Blessed Mood
Let us speak simply: When a person thanks Hashem with joy, he is automatically in a good mood. He knows and acknowledges that the Ribbono shel Olam helped him and gave him good... and this shapes a person’s mood and attitude. He no longer becomes sad and bitter about his problems, and he doesn’t complain as much.
This extends to the interpersonal realm as well. When a person’s mood is elevated, he is happy to share and happy to accommodate others. He greets them with a smile, and he shares kind words with them. The attitude of a person who contemplates his berachos is one of gratitude and joy.
Entranceway to Blessings
In Parashas Eikev, we learn the pasuk מעמך שואל אלוקיך ה' מה ישראל ועתה, and now, Yisrael, what does Hashem, your G-d, ask of you.... Chazal tell us that this alludes to the requirement to recite one hundred berachos every day, and that this is the essence of יראה. The Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh teaches us that this is the entrance to the many blessings of ה' אהבת, to go in Hashem’s ways, and to merit a good life.
When a person acknowledges the Presence of Hashem, and he gives thanks to Him with joy, he automatically will attain yirah—for he is cognizant that Hashem is right here. This person is elevated. He is joyful and satisfied and grateful, and this refines him.
We have noted numerous times in the name of the Sheim MiShmuel that when a person is joyful, he is actually channeling the conduct of Hashem, for it says במקומו וחדוה עוז, there is strength and joy in His place. The Shechinah rests in a place where there is joy, and this leads a person to become elevated and refined.
Investing in Blessing
Berachos bring a person joy and blessing, and they cause him to think about Hashem. We tell a person: Take all your challenges and your difficult loads... we’ll see in a moment what to do about them... but put them aside. What does Hashem want from you? Invest in yiras Hashem. Invest in your berachos....
There’s so much room for growth in this area. A person can learn about it... even if it’s only one line, which may take him ten seconds. He accepts upon himself to be more careful with berachos, and this propels him to a new world. It’s not necessary to live in a dark world!
Tzaddikim would say, “How dark is the world for one who lives in it, and how illuminated and light is the world for one who resides above it.” We don’t have to live in the world—we reside above it. When a person lives his berachos, he lives with good, and he lives with kirvas Elokim, and he becomes filled with gratitude—a lesson exemplified by the great tzaddik, Rav Aharon of Belz.
Zechuso yagein aleinu.
