Blessing
In
Etymology and Germanic paganism
The modern English language term bless likely derives from the 1225 term blessen, which developed from the Old English blǣdsian (preserved in the Northumbrian dialect around 950 AD).[1] The term also appears in other forms, such as blēdsian (before 830), blētsian from around 725 and blesian 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.[1] Due to this, the term is related to the term blōd, meaning 'blood'.[1] 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 benedīcere meaning 'to speak well of', resulting in meanings such as 'to praise' or 'extol' or 'to speak of' or 'to wish well'.[1]
Abrahamic religions
'To be blessed' means to be favored by
A biblical damnation, in its most formal sense, is a negative blessing.
In the
"I will bless you, I will make your name great."
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.
This seems to be one of the oldest and long-living prayers in the peace story of humanity.[3]
Judaism
In
Christianity
Blessings and
In the
In Protestant liturgies such as those of
In the
In the
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, blessings are given by worthy, male members who hold the Melchizedek priesthood.[9]
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.[10]
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: السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته as-salāmu alaikum wa rahmatul-lāhi wa barakātuh (meaning "may peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you").[10]
Dharma religions
Hinduism
This section needs additional citations for verification. (December 2017) |
In
During the
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 Vāhan pujā (Hindi) or Vāgana poojai (Tamil வாகன பூஜை) 'vehicle blessing'. This is a ritual that is performed when one purchases a new vehicle.[citation needed]
Buddhism
In
Blessings in Buddhism, certain ceremonies are meant to provide blessings.[12]
Other uses
Blessing is also a term used for marriage in the
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 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a member may receive a special blessing, known as a patriarchal blessing, as guidance.
In the U.S., there are sometimes ritual ceremonies to bless companion animals.[13]
In
In Spanish, there is a blessing which can be used as a tender farewell, especially from a parent: Vaya con Dios ('Go with God'), also Adiós (A Dios, 'to God'), similar to the French Adieu.
In the Kyrgyz people's tradition, the blessing (bata or ak bata, '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 person(s) might give a negative blessing (so-called teskeri bata – 'the opposite blessing' or 'the black blessing').[14]
In commercial interactions, a seller's good words about the product, such as "I hope you enjoy it," could be considered to be blessings.[15]
See also
- Apostolic Blessing
- Benediction
- Blessing of animals
- Darśana
- List of Jewish Prayers and Blessings
- Priesthood blessing
References
- ^ a b c d Barnhart (1995:73).
- ^ a b c Sefer ha-Chinuch 430
- ISBN 978-1-56563-652-1.
- ^ The mosaic text reads "בשמאלה עשר וכבוד" ("in her left hand riches and honor"), which is a part of Proverbs 3:16.
- ^ Geoffrey Wainwright, The Oxford History of Christian Worship, Oxford University Press, UK, 2006, p. 471, 549, 567-568
- ^ "Chapter 1, The Principles of Public Worship" (PDF). opc.org. Retrieved 2022-09-22.
- ^ The Book of Worship for Church and Home: With Orders of Worship, Services for the Administration of the Sacraments and Other Aids to Worship According to the Usages of the Methodist Church. Methodist Publishing House. 1964. p. 373. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
- ^ Jackson, Katie (1 March 2017). "What is a house blessing and should you have one?". Fox News. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
- ^ "20. Priesthood Ordinances and Blessings". churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2016-09-16.
- ^ a b "Dual Nature of Blessings in Islam". July 11, 2016.
- ^ "Welcome to Siddha Yoga Path in India". www.siddhayoga.org.in. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011.
- ISBN 978-0-02-865997-8. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2017-03-02.
- .
- ^ "Сөз таануу". Азаттык Υналгысы. 27 June 2020.
- S2CID 240267919.
- ISBN 0-06-270084-7