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Blessings Book
with Audio CD

Even upon hearing sad news, such as an injury or loss -  or even the worst news of all - we still will bless the LORD.  As the prophet Job said, Adonai natan vadonai lakach, yehi shem Adonai mevorach: יְהוָה נָתַן וַיהוָה לָקָח יְהִי שֵׁם יְהוָה מְברָךְ - "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the Name of the LORD" (Job 1:21).

Barukh attah Adonai eloheinu melekh ha-olam, dayan ha-emet.

(DAI-yahn ha-E-met) n. The Righteous Judge, referring to the LORD as the Sovereign over the lives and fortunes of all people. Baruch Dayan HaEmet is an blessing of submission said at a time of bereavement for the Jew.

The Talmud (Tractate Berachot 59b) states that you should say a blessing for sad news, ascribing to the LORD the glory due His Name even in personal loss.


בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה אֱלהֵנוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם דַיָּן הָאֱמֶת

Barukh attah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha-olam, dayan ha-emet.

"Blessed art Thou, LORD our God, Master of the Universe, the Judge of the truth."

This blessing is recited in the face of events that cause us heartache and pain. Nonetheless, it expresses emunah (faith) that God has an ultimate, redemptive, purpose for this sad event that we cannot presently see...

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Hebrew for Christians
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