As Jews we are taught to make a Brachah (a blessing) on the food that we eat and the beverages we drink, before and after a meal or snack. The reason for this is to acknowledge that G-d created the world, including the food and to offer thanks for what He is providing for us.
Avraham our forefather, the first Jew, taught a powerful lesson on the importance of both hospitality and of reciting a Brachah. We are taught that Avraham’s tent was open to all to come and enjoy a meal as they journeyed through the desert. He took his role of host so seriously that when he found that guests were not coming to him, he would move his tent to an area where he was more likely to find guests to feed and serve.
There was just one interesting aspect to Avraham’s enormous kindness and generosity. After enjoying a meal, his guests were instructed to recite a blessing. Those who did so were not asked to pay anything, their meal was a gift. Those who refused to recite a blessing, thanking Hashem for the food they had enjoyed were asked to pay an unusually large amount of money. In this way, Avraham taught all who came in contact with him and his children after him that we have a responsibility to be grateful for what we are given and to thank Hashem for everything. He taught further that when we do so, the food is ours to eat, enjoy and gain nourishment from. When we refuse to recite a blessing, it is as though we have stolen the food and we therefore have to pay for it.
It is taught in a number of places that just as reciting a Brachah over what we eat or drink and even on what we smell, and certain things we see is important, it is even more important to recite it out loud and have another Jew answer Amen. The word Amen אמן has the same numerical value as that of Malach מלאך the Hebrew word for angel, 91. It is taught that each time a person responds Amen to a Brachah said out loud, that an angel is created that stands in our defence in front of our Creator.
In recent years, it has become popular to have Brachah Parties. At these parties, those attending are provided with something from each of the five following Brachos:
HaGefen recited over wine or grape juice
Mezonos recited over biscuits, cakes or pastries
HaAdama recited over vegetables growing in the ground
HaEitz recited over fruits growing on trees
Shehakol recited over other food items such as chocolate, ice cream
After someone recites a Brachah on one of the above, everyone present responds "Amen." In this way we provide the opportunity to create many Angels to stand in our defence.
Mostly these Brachah Parties are held with more snack type foods. We are offering to arrange Brachah parties as a proper meal. In this way Jews have the opportunity to come together, recite Brachos, respond Amen, and enjoy good, tasty food together. Through this there is the opportunity to make contacts, and G-d willing new friends. There will be unity, sharing of chizuk stories and from the whole event we will, G-d willing create many angels to stand in our defence and thus usher in assistance from Heaven.
How can you participate? The cost of the meal per person will be $36. If you are in
If you are not able to attend but would like to participate in this wonderful mitzvah, you can sponsor a Jew to attend. In this way you will be a part of enabling another Jew to enjoy a hot, yummy meal and also to participate in the sharing of Brachos. Through this, you too can benefit from the Yeshuos (salvations).
If you wish to participate but can only sponsor half, i.e. $18, you are welcome to do so. When there are two sponsoring, a Jew will be invited who otherwise could not have attended. For every $18 you donate, you can give a name in whose merit this mitzvah will take place.
If you wish to sponsor more than one person, you are welcome to do so. We are aiming specifically to have a beautiful event for Chanukah thus ushering in increasing light for Am Yisrael.
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