GOOD TO THE LAST DROP

 

  

Much has been said about whether a person should eat or drink before davening in the morning. Among the considerations is the classic “Do you eat to daven or daven to eat,” or in other words, are you taking a little nourishment before davening so that you have the energy and are not distracted, and can daven with greater concentration, or are you just rushing through your davening—hungry or not—so that you can eat as soon as possible? The opinion that spoke to me (and this is just me) was that black coffee is pretty much accepted by most, which for me is a great thing, because I have loved black coffee for many, many years.

 

This morning, as I enjoyed that first (actually second) cup of coffee and was beginning to focus on my davening, I recalled the lessons from Rabbi Weinberg on the bracha of Shehakol Nihyeh Bi’dvaro (see REVERSE RIPPLE) and Borei Pri Ha’eitz (see ORANGE CONCENTRATE).

 

We learned of the exponentially expanding pieces that set the stage prior to enjoying a simple cup of coffee, l’havdil, sort of like was depicted in the film “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button;” and to fully appreciate, using multiple senses, the beauty of Hashem’s creations in a mindful way prior to partaking of them.

 

In some ways, the Borei Nefashot is parallel to the Shahakol bracha. While Shehakol is recited over multiple foods that do not fit into the specific categories of bread, grains, wine, vegetables, or fruits, we learned that the simple basic life-giving glass of water is assigned the bracha of Shehakol. Perhaps Borei Nefashot actually has the same level of importance. (Actually, every bracha has great importance.)

 

Looking at the bracha:

 

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְ‑יָ אֱ‑לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא נְפָשׁוֹת רַבּוֹת וְחֶסְרוֹנָן

.עַל כָּל מַה שֶׁבָּרָאתָּ לְהַחֲיוֹת בָּהֶם נֶפֶשׁ כָּל חָי בָּרוּךְ חֵי הָעוֹלָמִים

 

Blessed are You, our Lord and God, King of the universe, Creator of numerous living beings and what they are lacking, for all that You have created in order to sustain the life of every living being.

Blessed is He who is the Life of the worlds.

 

What strikes me is that we are expressing gratitude, not for the food that we have eaten or water we have drunk, but for the creation of all living beings; not just for the creation of all living beings, but for what we are lacking! And we are not just acknowledging the creation of all living things and what they are lacking, but we seem to be recognizing that all livings things—and that which they are lacking—are essential to sustaining and giving life to our world.

 

How is this so?

 

We look around these days and it is not difficult to see people who are in need. They might be lonely, ill, in search of peace… the list of needs can be endless and those in need often fall by the wayside like a food that has no category, no unique bracha. This creates an opportunity for us to be sustainers of life through our acts of chesed, our lovingkindness. And this opportunity for us to emulate Hashem in caring for others is what gives us life and sustains us.

 

As we recite the bracha of Borei Nefashot, may we become sustainers of life and be thankful for the simple basic life-giving forces and gifts that Hashem has given us, and may we express this gratitude in our love and care for others.

 BY: NATHAN KRUMAN