Illustration Credit: Rivka Tsinman
Halakhah הֲלָכָה
In our parashah, some key leaders emerge. A new king rules over מִצְרָיִם (Mitzrayim, Egypt) (see פַּרְשָׁנוּת /Commentary), and Moshe is appointed leader of Benei Yisrael (see מִדְרָשׁ /Midrash).
Can you imagine what it might be like to see a really important leader like a king, or like Moshe? How might you feel?
The Talmud (Bavli Berakhot 58a) says there are special בְּרָכוֹת (berakhot, blessings) to recite if you find yourself in this situation!
For a non-Jewish king (like Pharaoh):
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁנָּתַן מִכְּבוֹדוֹ לְבָשָׂר וָדָם
Blessed are you, God our Lord, Ruler of the World, Who has given honor to flesh and blood.
For a Jewish king (like Moshe–who’s also considered a king, based on Devarim 33:5!):
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁחָלַק מִכְּבוֹדוֹ לִירֵאָיו
Blessed are you, God our Lord, Ruler of the World, Who has distributed honor to those who fear God.
Both blessings emphasize that human rulers—made of flesh and blood—ultimately draw their power from God, the only true ruler.
Would you say these blessings over an elected leader, like the President of the United States?
No
Sefer Ha-Eshkol (France, 900 years ago) says that this blessing is only for rulers who have the power of life and death over their subjects. That is not true of almost any modern leader in the western world.
Yes
R. Ovadiah Yosef (Yehaveh Da’at II:28) says that you say these blessings over anyone who can spare a person’s life. So monarchs or presidents or even judges with the power to pardon people—which means to stop them from being executed—should also count.
What if you see the President on TV or on the internet? Does that count?
R. Betzalel Stern (Betzel Ha-Hokhmah II:18) says no: You only say this blessing if you see the ruler in person. You have to actually feel how amazing—and maybe scary or awe-inspiring—it is to be in the presence of someone with that sort of power.
- Is there an important leader that you’ve met or would like to meet? Or maybe a great artist or athlete? What would you ask that person?
- How could meeting that person—and gaining more appreciation for great power, exceptional talents, and extraordinary accomplishments—help you better appreciate God in the world?
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