Blessing

The modern English language term bless likely derives from the 1225 term , which developed from the Old English (preserved in the Northumbrian dialect around 950 AD). The term also appears in other forms, such as (before 830), from around 725 and '''' from around 1000, all meaning to make sacred or holy by a sacrificial custom in the Anglo-Saxon pagan period, originating in Germanic paganism; to mark with blood. Due to this, the term is related to the term , meaning 'blood'. References to this indigenous practice, Blót, exist in related Icelandic sources. The modern meaning of the term may have been influenced in translations of the Bible into Old English during the process of Christianization to translate the Latin term meaning 'to speak well of', resulting in meanings such as 'to praise' or 'extol' or 'to speak of' or 'to wish well'. ==Abrahamic religions==

Blessing Jacob'', painting by Govert Flinck (Rijksmuseum Amsterdam) In Judaism, Christianity and Islam, to be "blessed" means to be favored by God, the source of all blessing. and God blessed Noah and his sons in Genesis 9:1. A further blessing was promised in Genesis 12:1, where Abram is directed by God to leave his country and is told: Robert Payne Smith observes that "the promises made to Abram are partly personal and partly universal, embracing the whole world". The passage continues, contrasting "blessing" and "cursing". Melchizedek, priest of ʼĒl ʻElyōn ("God Most High") further blessed Abram, presenting him with bread and wine and pronouncing After Almighty God (El Shaddai) reaffirms his covenant with Abraham in Genesis 17:1-14, God promises to bless his wife Sarah, and Ishmael, his first-born son, but God reserves the continuity of the covenant to Isaac, the son promised to Sarah and Abraham. In this context, the non-conformist minister Matthew Henry distinguishes between the "common blessings" endowed on Ishmael and the "covenant blessings" promised to Isaac. The Priestly Blessing is set forth at Numbers 6:24-26: : May Adonai bless you, and guard you; : May Adonai make His countenance shine upon you, and be gracious to you; : May Adonai turn His countenance to you and grant you peace. The Book of Deuteronomy prescribes that obedience to the Law of Moses brings God's blessing. Judaism places his hands and fingers during the Priestly Blessing, detail of a mosaic in the Synagoge of Enschede, Netherlands In Rabbinic Judaism, a blessing (or berakhah) is recited at a specified moment during a prayer, ceremony or other activity, especially before and after partaking of food. The function of blessings is to acknowledge God as the source of all blessing. A berakhah of rabbinic origin typically starts with the words, "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe..." Rabbinic Judaism teaches that food ultimately is a gift of the one great Provider, God, and that to partake of food legitimately one should express gratitude to God by reciting the appropriate blessing of rabbinic origin prior, while torah mandates an informal blessing afterwards. In the Lutheran Churches, priests are often asked to bless objects frequently used by or sacred to individuals, such as a cross necklace; in addition, Lutheran clergy also bless the homes of members of the congregations. In Protestant liturgies such as those of Reformed churches or Evangelical churches, the minister blesses the congregation during the concluding part of the service of worship, known as the benediction. For example, the Orthodox Presbyterian Directory for Public Worship states that "Unless necessary, none should depart until after the benediction", and "by his Spirit working through the ministry of the Word, God addresses his people in the call to worship, in the salutation and benediction, in the reading and preaching of the Word, and in the sacraments". The Methodist The Book of Worship for Church and Home (1965) contains "An Office for the Blessing of a Dwelling". In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, blessings are given by worthy, male members who hold the Melchizedek priesthood. A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints may receive a special blessing, known as a patriarchal blessing, as guidance. Islam Blessings in Islam have two aspects, according to major scholars of Islam. Blessings are given by Allah as a trial for mankind. Scholars of Islam believe that having fear of being gradually misled by blessings is an attribute of the pious, and not having fear from such even though one is constantly misbehaving is an attribute of the impious. Blessings can be a source of success in the afterlife if one is grateful to Allah for them and the same blessings can be a source for damnation in afterlife if a person is not constantly grateful to God for them. Islam has no clerical caste, and therefore no blessings reserved to specific individuals. Muslims will frequently pronounce "peace and blessings be upon him" when mentioning the name of Muhammad or indeed, any of the prophets. Muslims will also greet one another with a blessing every time they meet and depart: (meaning "may peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you"). ==Dharmic religions==

Indian religions, which includes Hinduism and other religions like Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, etc. are also called Dharmic religions, all of which are based on the different concept of dharma and karma and typical blessings are based on Adhiṣṭhāna, Añjali Mudrā, Darśana and Mudra, etc. Hinduism . In Hinduism, Puja is a religious ritual performed by Hindus as an offering to various deities, distinguished persons, or special guests. It is modeled on the idea of giving a gift or offering to a deity or important person and receiving their approval (). During the Puja involves an 'Aarti plate' or 'Aarti lamp' is circulating around a deity or person and is generally accompanied by the singing of songs in praise of that deity or person (many versions exist). In doing so, the plate or lamp is supposed to acquire the power of the deity. The priest circulates the plate or lamp to all those present. They cup their down-turned hands over the flame and then raise their palms to their forehead – the purificatory blessing, passed from the deity's image to the flame, has now been passed to the devotee. During the naivedya ritual, a devotee makes an offering of a material substance such as flowers, fruits, or sweets. The deity then 'enjoys' or tastes a bit of the offering, which is then temporarily known as bhogya. This now-divinely invested substance is called prasāda, and is received by the devotee to be ingested, worn, etc. It may be the same material that was originally offered, or material offered by others and then re-distributed to other devotees. In many temples, several kinds of prasada (e.g. nuts, sweets) are distributed to the devotees. Darshan is a term meaning 'sight' (in the sense of an instance of seeing or beholding; from a root 'to see'), vision, apparition, or glimpse. It is most commonly used for "visions of the divine," e.g., of a god or a very holy person or artifact. One could "receive " of the deity in the temple, or from a great saintly person, such as a great guru. The touching of the feet () is a show of respect and it is often an integral part of . Children touch the feet of their family elders while people of all ages will bend to touch the feet of a great guru, murti (icon) of a Deva (God) (such as Rama or Krishna). There is a special link between worshipper and guru during pujas, in which people may touch the guru's feet in respect (Pranāma), or remove the dust from a guru's feet before touching their own head. Another tradition is (Hindi) or (Tamil ) 'vehicle blessing'. This is a ritual that is performed when one purchases a new vehicle. Buddhism , which shows a devotion scene involving a Buddhist stupa. In Mangala Sutta, Lord Buddha describes 'blessings' that are wholesome personal pursuits or attainments, identified in a progressive manner from the mundane to the ultimate spiritual goal. Blessings in Buddhism, certain ceremonies are meant to provide blessings. ==Other uses==

ceremony Blessing is also a term used for marriage in the Unification Church, see: Blessing Ceremony of the Unification Church. Clergy will normally receive a blessing from their ecclesiastical superiors to begin their ministry. In the Russian Orthodox Church pious laymen would go to a starets (elder) to receive his or her blessing before embarking upon any important work or making a major decision in their life. In the U.S., there are sometimes ritual ceremonies to bless companion animals. In Hawaii, new constructions or developments, such as buildings, roads, or gardens, are traditionally blessed in public ceremonies led by Hawaiian practitioners, known as kahuna. These ceremonies often involve rituals such as the unwinding of a maile lei, which is associated with bringing the project to life. The maile lei, made from the leaves of the maile plant, holds cultural significance in Hawaiian traditions. In Spanish, there is a blessing which can be used as a tender farewell, especially from a parent: ('Go with God'), also Adiós (, 'to God'), similar to the French . In the Kyrgyz people's tradition, the blessing ( or , 'the right blessing' or 'white blessing') might be a good wish to somebody by the oldest person or the person with the best reputation before the travel or launch of some activity of the person who seeks such a blessing and moral support. The procedure might be from the pre-Islamic local nomadic traditions with deep family values. Sometimes, older might give a negative blessing (so-called – 'the opposite blessing' or 'the black blessing'). In commercial interactions, a seller's good words about the product, such as "I hope you enjoy it", could be considered to be blessings. ==See also==