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 #20

This bracha is recited upon putting on new clothes. As well this bracha is recited as part of the introductory brachot that are recited every morning as part of the Birchot HaShahar, the morning blessings.

The birchot Hashahar is a series of 15 brachot we recite every morning. It is these brachot that help us set our agenda for the day. They teach us how to build a better world a better relationship with other human beings and with God. In reality they remind us of the great gifts God has bestowed upon us. We thank God for opening our eyes, for giving us the strength to get out of bed. And we thank God for giving us clothing.

As we recognize God's role in perpetuating a society in which its inhabitants care for each other, we recognize the necessity to participate in the process of making our society work properly. If we are to ask God for something we must be willing to attempt to accomplish it ourselves. If we make the effort, God will most certainly meet us half way. Therefore, if we expect God to clothe the naked we must do our part to give clothing to those less fortunate than ourselves.

This winter season will see many people freeze. There are untold numbers of homeless people who will sleep on the streets of our cities in the snow, wind and rain. We can and we should share what we have with them. Many of us will receive or buy a new winter coat this season, why not give the one you no longer need. Don't let it sit in the back of the closet, while there are those who live in cardboard boxes suffer with the cold.

I remember each time I would receive a new piece of clothing, my mother would say to me "wear it in good health." If we could take this idea one step further and insure someone else's health through giving them new clothes as well.

The story of Adam and Eve remind us of the shame in being naked. In the beginning of humanity one of the initial punishments is realizing our nakedness. Those who are without clothes today may be too embarrassed to go to a shelter, they may be ashamed of the lot they have been dealt, therefore we should seek them out and provide for them with out being asked. We can make anonymous donations to shelters and we can simply lay a coat down for someone sleeping in the street.

Winter has begun and many have received clothing as gifts during the holiday of Hannuka. It is appropriate to give thanks not only to the person who gave you the clothes but to God as well. But we must do more than simply say thank you, we must pay it forward.

Copyright © 2001 Rabbi Yohanan Stein. All rights reserved.