1 Likro et Hahallel
2 La'asot Ma'akeh
3 Hanoon Hamarbeh L'sloah
4 Al Nitilat Yadayim
5 Melekh Ohev Tzedakah U'mishpat
6 Dayan Ha'emeth
7 Leshev Ba'Sukkah
8 Lasok b'divrei Torah
9 Kiddush levana
10 Asher yatzar
11 Borei Pri Ha'eitz
12 HaMotzi
13 SheHakol Nihiyeh B'dvaro
14 Shehechiyanu
15 Lihitattef Batzitzit
16 Likboah Mezuzah
17 L'hadlik ner shel hannukah
18 She'asah nisim lavoteinu byamim hahem bazman hazeh
19 HaGomel L'Chayavim tovot, shegimalani kol tov
20 Malbish Arumim
21 L'hadlik ner shel Shabbat
22 Borei pri Hagafen
23 Hazan et HaKol
24 L'havchin bein yom u'vein layla
25 lhanot bahem b'nai adam.
26 borei minei mizonot
27 HaMachazir neshamot lifgarim matim
28 l'hachniso b'brito shel avraham avinu
29 al mikra megillah
30 shomeah tephillah
31 noten hatorah
32 sh'asani b'tzalmo
33 al biur hametz
34 al sefirat ha'omer
35 et amo yisrael bashalom.
36 Haham HaRazim
37 haolam Borei Minei Bisamim
38 matir asurim
39 shepratani meansho shel zeh
40 zokeif kifufim
41 HaBocher  b'amo yisrael b'ahava
42 hamavdil bein kodesh lechol
43 borei meorei haeish
44 magen avraham
45 shover oyvim umachnea zaydim
46 Mikadeish HaShabbat
47 boreh pri ha'adamah
48 al ha'aretz v'al hamazon
49 michayei HaMaitim
50 yotzer ha'adam
51 boneh berachamav yerushalayim
52 she'asani kirtzono

Bracha #1 1

This bracha is recited prior to eating a piece of fruit that grows on a tree, such as apples or oranges. Like many of the brachot that are recited surrounding the eating of any food, there is a blessing that is said prior to eating that item and then there is a corresponding blessing that is said after its consumption. This blessing, like others of its kind, reminds us to think before we eat. It forces us to take a moment to figure out the origin of that food. It is not simply enough to acknowledge God as the source of all food, it is important to recognize the process by which that food has made it to our hands.

By pausing to realize that the particular fruit we are about to enjoy comes from a tree we immediately become conscious of the varied fruits that exist and the fact that though this particular fruit may come from a tree there are those that come from other sources, and therefore, the world is filled with many splendid things. If we are careful to remember to say a bracha with each food we eat, we will be obliged to recognize the complexities with which the world was created and continues to bring forth bounty.

God acts in partnership with humanity to bring forth sustenance for all. Though there are many products that require greater human involvement we understand that without the careful harvesting much of the fruit could be lost. We live in a world that needs our care. We live in times in which we are poisoning our streams and polluting our air. The impact of these harmful activities will certainly have an impact on the ability of our earth to bring forth produce.

We say this bracha with the understanding that God can only play a part in the produce. We too must do our part. As we thank God for the fruit of the trees we must remember to assist God in providing an environment for those trees to flourish. If we are to thank God for the trees and the fruit then we must be willing to try ourselves to sustain that system in nature by not negatively shocking our surroundings. Through this bracha we gain an understanding of the unique symbiotic relationship we have with the natural world. As we thank God for the fruit of the tree we thank God in turn for the trees themselves, the soil that nurtures the trees and the air that helps them to grow. We realize the delicate balance that has been created and that we must maintain.

Borei Pri Ha'eitz is a short bracha that can easily be mastered in a matter of minutes, but can add immeasurably to the way we understand out place in the world.

Copyright © 2001 Rabbi Yohanan Stein. All rights reserved. 

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