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In Judaism, a ''berakhah'', ''bracha'', ''brokho'', ''brokhe'' ((ヘブライ語:בְּרָכָה); pl. בְּרָכוֹת, ''berakhot'', ''brokhoys''; "benediction," "blessing," "drawing down (spiritual energy )") is a formula of blessing or thanksgiving, recited in public or private, usually before the performance of a commandment, or the enjoyment of food or fragrance, and in praise on various occasions. The function of a ''berakhah'' is to acknowledge God as the source of all blessing.〔Sefer Hachinuch Chap. 430〕 Berakhot also have an educational function to transform a variety of everyday actions and occurrences into religious experiences designed to increase awareness of God at all times. For this purpose, the Talmudic sage, Rabbi Meir, stated that it was the duty of every Jew to recite one hundred ''berakhot'' every day (Men. 43b).〔 The Mishnah of tractate Berakhot, and the gemara in both Talmuds contain detailed rabbinical discussions of ''berakhot'', upon which the laws and practice of reciting blessings are founded.〔 ''Berakhot'' typically start with the words "Blessed are You, Lord our God..." One who hears another recite a ''berakhah'' answers with ''amen;'' but one who is engaged in prayer may at certain points be forbidden from other speech, including responding ''amen.'' With few exceptions, one does not respond amen to his or her own ''berakha,'' although other prayers—such as the kaddish—include "amen" in their text. ==Categories of blessings== There are three major categories of ''berakhah'': *on pleasurable experiences ((ヘブライ語:ברכות הנהנין) ''birkhot ha'nehenin'') such as before eating food or smelling fragrances *when performing a commandment ((ヘブライ語:ברכות המצוות) ''birkhot hamitzvot'') such as the lighting of Sabbath candles *in praise, gratitude or recognition of God's justice ((ヘブライ語:ברכות שבח והודאה) ''birkhot ha'shevach v'ha'hodaya'') such as upon seeing awe-inspring natural phenomena, or upon hearing very good or very bad news. Blessings over food are intended to sanctify the physical act of taking nourishment, those recited before performing a commandment serve to prevent the performance of the activity in an unthinking, rote way, and the blessings of praise serve to remind people of the presence of God in all situations.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Berakhah」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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