Kids Question, Eikev 2025

Question

There are only two brachos that we're required to say d'oraysa.

  1. What are they?
  2. Which one is mentioned in the parsha? 

Answer

The answer is actually in the bracha itself 

ואכלת ושבעת וברכת את ד' אלוקיך על הארץ הטובה אשר נתן לך

And you will eat, and be satisfied, and you will bless Hashem your Gd for the good land which he has given you

Devarim 8:10

In other words, when you eat, thank Hashem for the yummy food. That's the core of benching. So why is it so long? Why are there so many parts?

Let's talk about the four brochos first. Chaza"l taught us the pasuk that teaches us to bench mentions a total of three amazing kindnesses Hashem did for us

  1. Providing us food and drink (ואכלת ושבעת)
  2. Giving us Eretz Yisroel (על הארץ)
  3. Giving us Yerushalayim and the Beis Hamikdash (הטוב)

These kindnesses are all obviously important if Hashem went out of his way to mention them in the pasuk. Chaza"l dedicated an entire bracha to each one so we can have a chance to reflect on these kindnesses. (The fourth bracha was added many years later to remember a great kindness Hashem did for us after the battle of Beitar.)

What about everything after the brachos? The Chofetz Chaim taught us an amazing answer to that question. Hashem is particularly happy with us when we do a mitzvah. In fact, he says, the moment after we finish a mitzvah makes Hashem so happy that he wants to listen to our tefillos even more than usual.

When we finish benching, we're in exactly that moment. We finished the mitzvah of ואכלת ושבעת וברכת and Hashem is ready to listen to our tefilos. Use that moment! Daven! Ask Hashem for everything you need! The Chofetz Chaim teaches that's the secret to all the harachamans! 

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