Saying 'God Bless You'
This series with Rabbi Dovid Fink explores the Jewish perspective on common expressions such as ‘God bless you,’ which in some cases have origins outside Judaism. When are such phrases permissible according to Jewish law? What are appropriate ways to respond when someone says them?
Saying 'God Bless You': Saying ‘God Bless You’
Can you use any of Gd’s names in an impromptu blessing like “Gd bless you”?
If you hear such a blessing, should you respond “amen”?
Does it matter whether the blessing is pronounced by a Jew or a non-Jew?
Or by a Jew who is not Torah observant?
Is there any kedusha in translations of Gd’s names (like “the Eternal,” the Lord,” or “the Holy One”)?
Source sheets in both WORD format and pdf are available through the links. In class we will translate and explain these sources.
In addition to being one of Rabbi Brovender's first students, Rabbi Dovid Fink is an outstanding expertﾠand teacher of Halacha. Rabbi Fink received his Rabbinic ordination from ITRI and the Mir and was awarded his Ph.D in Semitic Languages and Linguistics from Yale University. Rav Fink has taught thousands of students from all over the world for over 35 years.