To Be Blessed: Giving and Receiving a Blessing

Our religion seems to be very dependent on Blessings - giving blessings, receiving blessings, being blessed.  I know that I have been blessed having spent time learning with Rabbi Abe Friedman.  Not only blessed by his ever ending knowledge and ever expanding wisdom; but blessed because in the short time that I have attended his classes, he has shown me how to expand my thinking.

But giving and receiving blessings is something I struggle with.  While I am somewhat familiar with many of the blessings in the Siddur, I still have a difficult time with the concept of giving and receiving blessings.  And while I find the thought of receiving a Rabbi’s blessing is beautiful, I don't know that I can accept that it is given as an extension for G-d.  Even the concept of a parent blessing to a child seems awkward and uncomfortable to me.

Years ago, our family was invited to a Shabbat Dinner at another family’s home.  I think that was the first time (and still only one of a few) I had experienced a Shabbat Dinner. I was uncomfortable to begin with because even the blessings over the challah and wine were foreign to me, but when they put their hands on their children’s shoulders to bless them, I felt more out of place than I ever had before.

I can accept that G-d himself had the power to bless Abraham.  I can believe that Moses, on behalf of G-d, blessed the Israelites.  But what power or authority do parents have to bless their children?  Certainly, we have wishes for our children – wishes and hopes that they will live fulfilling and happy lives.  But do we have the ability to bless them?

It's not that I don't feel blessed –I do.  I feel blessed despite the losses I have endured.  I feel blessed to have a life filled with loving family and friends.  I feel blessed for the gift of intellect and the ability to wonder, consider and reason.  I feel blessed to have met so many wonderful teachers who are willing to share their knowledge and understanding with me.

Maybe I have been thinking of “blessing” within the wrong context.  Maybe our traditional blessings are not to be interrupted as a blessing from G-d but instead a hope from one individual to another.  It was suggested to me that blessings are intended to give protection, guidance and even confidence.  As I think about my hopes and wishes for my children, I think I can accept this concept of both giving and receiving a blessing.  And as I think about my time spent learning with Rabbi Friedman, I know for sure that I have been blessed.