Everyday

The rabbis of Talmudic times taught: "Say one hundred blessings a day!" On this page we discuss everyday rituals and practices that can help you to cultivate and sustain a sense of deeper meaning and connection in the midst of your daily activities.

To access the CLAL Everyday Archive, click here.

Seeing Natural Wonders

I had seen spectacular mountains in the Alps, the Rockies in Colorado. I didn’t think Yosemite would be much different. More mountains, maybe some waterfalls I thought, and it will all be nice – at least I’ll get out of the city. Driving from San Francisco through the dry heat of the desert, we pulled into the heart of Yosemite park as the sun began to set. We got out of the car and our mouths dropped open. What we saw: trees five time bigger than any I’ve ever seen, spectacular rocks climbing to the heavens, waterfalls cascading into lush valleys. We were struck silent.

Meditation

Hishtachavu Lashem b’hadrat kodesh

The world is God’s intensely holy place. Hear God’s voice in the waters, in the thunder. Hear God’s voice in the tall trees, in the forest, in the wilderness.

Kol Hashem b’co-ach kol Hashem b’hadar

Hear God’s voice in power; in beauty. (adapted Psalm 29)

Ritual

Silence. Imagine taking off your shoes, allowing your feet to touch the ground. As you witness the majestic beauty of high mountains, vast deserts, sunrises, lightening and shooting stars, you stand on holy ground.

Blessing

Barukh atah oseh ma’aseh v’reshit.

Praised are You, renewer of the works of creation.

Let me be attentive to the wonder of your world.

Teaching

"And God called the dry places ‘earth’ and the water-springs God called ‘seas’; and God saw that it was good." (Genesis 1:10)

"The skies will rejoice, the earth vibrate with celebration, the sea roar with it’s full force, the fields sing out, the trees of the forest cry out in ecstasy." (Psalm 96)

"Every blade of grass has a guardian above it." (Zohar 1:34a)

"Most of the time that people speak of natural wonder they think of grandeur – oceans and mountains and forests…so it is good to be reminded that in looking into the delicate workings of nature – the development of a lily, the butterfly wing, the tiny blades of grass on the lawn – we also find breathtaking beauty. (DB)

On seeing mountains, hills, seas, rivers an deserts, one should say "Blessed is the One who creates." (Brakhot 9:1)

Barukh atah she’kakhah lo b’olamo. Praised are You who has created such beauty in Your world.

(CLAL Faculty)