Second Blessing: Take Three

“You are eternally mighty my Master, the Resuscitator of the dead are You, abundantly to save. He provides for the living with kindness, resuscitates the dead with great mercy, supports the fallen, heals the sick, frees the confined, and sustains His faith to those who sleep in the ground. Who is like You, Master of mightiness, and who can be compared to You, King who causes death and restores life and makes salvation blossom. And You are faithful to resuscitate the dead. Blessed are You Hashem, Who resuscitates the dead.”

In the first blessing, we express Hashem's greatness. Although He owns the entire universe, He does not hesitate to remember the actions of our forefathers, who sanctified His Name in the world. In order to reward their devotion, He showers their offspring with innumerable acts of kindness, and will eventually bring them the final redemption.

The second blessing describes Hashem's power. The ultimate example of this is His control over life, as seen through His sustenance of the entire world and resurrection of the dead. During the winter, we add a praise for the rains, which play a major role in sustaining life.

Finally, in the third blessing, we make reference to His awe. Hashem is completely separate from this world, yet His holiness permeates every aspect of creation. During the days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, we recognize that His connection to this world is more apparent, by adding the word King to the conclusion of this blessing.

Text Copyright © 2009 by Rabbi Daniel Travis and Torah.org