We all know the "Bentching Song."  Sometimes it is hard to say the blessing without singing the song.  I often wondered who composed that tune and why it took off.  There is only one tune for that bracha.  Period.   This must be a very important prayer.

We learn from this week's Torah reading that in fact, the obligation to say Grace After Meals is biblical.  Practically speaking in Halacha, this means that if one is not sure if he/she  recited the blessing after a bread meal, then repetition is necessary.  This follows the dictum of "Safeik D'Oraisa Lechumra."  When we have a doubt that involves a Torah mandated law, we take a stringent approach.  The philosophy of making such a blessing represents a basic tenet of Jewish behavior.  One must always give thanks after the fact.  It is when we are full and satiated that we are less likely to recognize the goodness given to us from above.  The Torah therefore obligates us to give thanks to Hashem on a most regular basis.  We should do more- we should sing our thanks.  

In keeping with this value, I would like to express my personal thanks and our communal thanks to Faigy Fishman who has moved on to a new position teaching special education which is in her field of training.  For two and  a half years Faigy was the first voice you heard when you called our office and she was the first face you saw when you came in.  Faigy went about her business in a most capable and committed manner. She made our shul run like clockwork.  While we most definitely miss her, we all join together in wishing Faigy much hatzlacha in her new position.   

Etz Chaim owes Faigy a tremendous amount of gratitude for her service and kindness.

 

Shabbat Shalom