Weekly Tefilah Focus

Asher bachar banu mi’kol ha’amim, v’nasan lanu es Toraso…

V’haarev na Hashem Elokeinu es divrei Soras’cha b’finu u’v’fi amcha beis Yisrael…

We conclude the brachah by referring to Hashem as the “melamed,” the teacher. We affirm: “You, Hashem, are the constant source of blessing, the One Who teaches Torah to His nation Yisrael.”

At the end of the first segment on Birchos HaTorah, we pointed out the huge, not-to-be-missed opportunity to pour our hearts out for our offspring and ourselves. The Chafetz Chaim writes that Birchos HaTorah is one of the most powerful opportunities to daven for our children and our grandchildren.

I want you to think about a concept that nobody talks about. You won’t hear your rav speak about this on Shabbos. You won’t read an article on this subject in any Jewish magazine, and you certainly won’t hear any politician speak this way. I am referring to the important aspect of fighting the Jewish enemy and, while extremely difficult and painful, how it is an integral – and necessary – part of our national life.

Since we have already written about the basic words of a brachah, this segment will focus on the end of the first brachah of the Birchos HaTorah, as said by Ashkenazim. Regardless of our specific custom, the lessons apply equally to all.