By now, much of the Torah community has heard or read of the recent story of the young girl who did not eat for a couple of hours after she got home because her family had accepted upon themselves (as a zechus for their departed mother) not to recite a bracha unless there was someone present to answer Amen—and there was no one home to answer. The reward for her selfless act, as was revealed in a dream, was that another girl in her class was completely healed from an extremely serious illness.
In actuality, an extremely significant Sefer, HaMevorech Misborech by HaRav Yaakov Moshe Shechter, Shlita, was published prior to this event. In the sefer, HaRav Shechter demonstrates the power and effect that our daily brachos have, and how a mere change in the manner in which we make the brachos (which we are reciting anyway) every day, can literally guard our lives physically, enhance our lives spiritually and serve as a source of tremendous Shemira--guardian--for all of Klal Yisroel.
In this very special sefer, HaRav Shechter provides us with the following essential insights and information:
1. Rabbeinu Bachya (in the Kad HaKemach) writes that one who is careful with making brachos (both on Mitzvos and over food), “demonstrates the quality of his Emunah, the purity of his heart and testifies about himself that his Yahadus is deeply rooted within him.” 2. Similarly, the Rashba (to Brachos 7B), writes that proper recital of brachos causes an increase of Rachamim, of mercy, from HaKadosh Baruch Hu. The Maharsha (to Brachos 64A) adds that brachos are “marbeh shalom”--they increase the peace" between Klal Yisroel and our Father in Heaven. 3. It is said in the name of HaRav Elchonon Wasserman, Z’tl, H’YD, that, because the proper recitation of brachos can prevent “mageifos, machalos, u’pegoim raim min haolam--plagues, sicknesses, and negative events from occurring in the world,” if a person does not recite his brachos properly, he can actually be said to be violating the requirement of “Lo Saamod Al Dam Reyacha--do not stand idly by when your brother’s blood is being spilled” (Vayikra 19:16). “There is no greater cruelty than this, may Hashem spare us from it.” 4. There are many points to be made about the great maalos of being careful to recite “Meah Brachos”—100 brachos every day. We will refer to only a few here: a. The Halacha regarding the requirement to recite 100 brachos every day is explicitly stated in Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, 46:3. b. The basis for reciting 100 Brachos a day is the fundamental Pasuk in Devorim (10:12) which asks: “What does Hashem [actually, really] ask of you...” Chazal (Menachos 43B) teach about this Pasuk “Do not read it as: What {Ma} does Hashem ask of you?” but rather “One hundred {Me’ah} [brachos] is what Hashem asks of you.” This Chazal is far from a play on words. While many first associate 100 Brachos with Dovid HaMelech (when, upon his insistence, the people were careful to recite 100 Brachos daily, 100 people stopped dying daily), Rabbeinu Bachya and the Chida actually write that 100 brachos were recited in the times of Moshe Rabbeinu, but, over time, the requirement was forgotten. We were then, unfortunately, “reminded” to renew the practice by the plague in Dovid’s time. Indeed, the Bach (to Tur, Chapter 46) writes that reciting these brachos properly saves one from mortal danger…even in our time. Hakhel Note: The Sefer Piskei Teshuvos (Orach Chaim, 46), brings a Ma’aseh with HaRav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach, Z’tl. A Torah scholar who was seriously ill came to visit him, seeking Chizuk in his illness. HaRav Auerbach responded that his best advice would be for the scholar to recite his daily brachos slowly and with Kavannah. c. The Chida writes that there are 26 words in the Pasuk of “What does Hashem ask...”, and that the Pasuk begins with a Vav and ends with a Chaf (26, in total), indicating that Hashem’s Name of mercy (with the gematria of 26) will surround us in reward for our efforts in reciting the 100 Brachos properly. d. There is a machlokes haposkim as to whether women are obligated to recite 100 brachos every day, or whether it is a mitzvas asei shehazman grama, from which women are exempt (but could perform!). The Shevet HaLevi, Shlita, and HaRav Moshe Shternbuch, Shlita, for instance, rule that women are exempt. HaRav Elyashiv, Shlita, and HaRav Ovadia Yosef, Shlita, rule that women, too, should recite 100 Brachos a day. e. HaRav Shimshon Pincus, Z’tl, writes that if we were entitled to speak to Hashem 100 times a day, and spoke to Him properly those 100 times--it would be absolutely impossible for Hashem to be upset or angry with us. Need anything more be said? f. For further detail on how to ensure that you recite 100 brachos every day, see the Mishna Berurah to the Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 46, Seif Katan 14, and other commentaries to Shulchan Aruch there.
5. HaRav Yerucham Levovitz, Z’tl, teaches that if a person would know what goes on in his body from the time food enters his mouth until it is utilized or leaves, he would send a telegram home to his house not to worry, that everything went well. In a similar vein, HaRav Eliyahu Roth, Z’tl, taught, “Do you know what the bracha of Asher Yotzar is?! You have just undergone difficult and complicated surgery, which has been accomplished without anesthesia, and without terrible pain and suffering, by the greatest Doctor--and for free!!” 6. The Chayei Odom (5:26), writes that before making a bracha, one should reflect for a moment on the wondrous Chesed that Hashem has granted you with the fruit, the bread, etc. 7. Likewise, before concluding each bracha of Shemone Esrei--i.e., before Boruch Ata Hashem of each bracha, one should focus on the simple meaning of the bracha that he is about to make. The Tur (Orach Chaim 101) writes that there are exactly 113 words in the aggregate in the “chasimos” (from Baruch Ata Hashem on) of the brachos of Shemone Esrei --corresponding to the Tefillos Chana! How Powerful! 8. In compiling the thoughts of Chazal, Rishonim and Achronim, the HaMevarech Misborechconcludes that the following are practical means to maximize the literally super-human powers contained in one’s daily brachos. To the extent possible, one should recite them:
a. First thinking for a moment of “L’Mi Hu Mevorach, V’Al Ma Hu Mevorech--to Whom he is reciting the Blessing, and on what he is reciting the Blessing.” b. aloud c. slowly, with patience (even/especially if you are hungry) d. clearly e. pleasantly f. while not doing anything else; and g. sitting (for brachos over food).
9. The above simple change in one’s daily routine could truly effect a change in one’s entire life (and the lives of others around you). A person can feel a heightened sense of Kedusha, and can actually feel uplifted when making a bracha. If starting with “100 Brachos a Day” seems too difficult a task at first (although remember you are doing it anyway!), you can start with ten Brachos or so a day and build up at your own pace from there... 10. The Chida writes that the word Bereishis--the first word of the Torah--is an acronym for “B’Kol Rom Avorech Shem Hashem Tomid--I will bless Hashem out loud always.” Thus, with the first word in the Torah, Hashem has already signaled to us the purpose of our creation... 11. Finally, the Medrash Tanchuma (Bereishis) advises: “...and just as a person blesses Hashem, so does Hashem bless him!”
Important Numbers
