And you should eat, be satisfied and bless�Hashem�your g-d. (8; 10)

The�gemarah�in�berachos�asks: how do we know that one makes a�beracha�before he eats and not just after he eats? The�halacha�is broughtfrom the following�kal�vchomer:��k�shehu soveh mivarech-k�shehu ra�av lo kol shekein�?�If one makes a�beracha�when satisfied should he not be logically obligated to do so, even more, when he is hungry?

This�kal�v�chomer�needs explaining. Normally, it would seem just the opposite: The measuring standard should not be when a person is full, because it is not the way of a person to thank�Hashem�when he is full. He may have forgotten how he got the food altogether because he is already done with it. He is satisfied, and at times we are complacent when we are comfortable. Rather, it would seem more sensible that the psychology of a�beracha acharona�should be based on that of the�beracha rishona.

This�concept can�be explained as follows. The�loshon�of �hoda�a�, thanks, is explained to mean that one is grateful for a past event.��But theloshon�of �beracha��implies that one is praising�Hashem�for constantly bestowing good upon you, in the past present and future. When one makes a�beracha�one should believe that the�beracha�is applicable to the �current good�, the �tov b�shaas ma�aseh�. Giving thanks for something after it already happened is not the level we aspire to, because all the other nations do the same.��As soon as something good is needed most people, of any language, religion or origin, say��please god�help me. ..make it happen.��After it happens, they forget all about it. As the chosen nation, however, we thank�Hashem�on everything that he does, in the past, present and future.��And that�s�pshat�in thepasuk�in�tehilim�that says,��yoducha Hashem kol ma�asecha�,�speaking of everyone (even the other nations) that thanks�Hashem�for all that he did for them (past tense). However, as the�pasuk�continues it shows how we differ from the other nations, as it says��vachasidecha yivurchucha�, the�chesed�that�Hashem�constantly does for us is blessed by his nation.��We bless�Hashem�for the good he continuously does for us.

In�bentching�it would�ve made more sense to say��v�achalta, v�savata, v�hodaat Hashem�. We ate, we are satisfied and we thank�Hashem. Why does it say �uveirachta�, and we bless�Hashem? The�Torah�uses a language that�s more specific, to encompass all the good�Hashem�did, does, and will do for us, not just the meal we finished eating.�This is the beauty of the�nusach�of�bentching. We say��lo chaser lanu, v�al yechsar lanu mazon l�olam va�ed�.�Meaning�we are not missing anything and we won�t be missing any food forever!!

Let us try to remember to thank�Hashem�not only what he did for us but for what he constantly does for us on a daily basis. Many people are healthy, have children, have�parnassah, etc�. we don�t need a �wake up call�,�chas�v�shalom, in order for us to start�davening�with morekavanah. We�re able to use the bathroom by ourselves? Let�s thank�Hashem�how many people unfortunately can�t? We have food to eat? Let�s thank�Hashem�how many people don�t? A job? Children? Let us�daven�and thank�Hashem�right now for the good that he bestowed on us, right here right now; today.

With this in mind may�Hashem�accept and answer our�tefillohs�and may we continue to be showered with�Hashems chesed�up until, and even after, the coming of�Moshiach�b�karov.

HAVE A GREAT SHABBOS.

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