Blessing

thumb|230px|[[Sergius of Radonezh|St. Sergius blesses Dmitry Donskoy to fight Mamay, 1919, by ]]

In religion, a blessing (also used to refer to bestowing of such) is the impartation of something with grace, holiness, spiritual redemption, or divine will.

Etymology and Germanic paganism

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. 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

thumb|right|Position in which a Jewish [[kohen 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").

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

thumb|Replica of an image at the Sanchi gate at [[Chaitya Bhoomi, 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

thumb|right|260px|A traditional Hawaiian blessing during a [[groundbreaking 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.

References

;Bibliography

Barnhart, Robert K. (1995), The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology HarperCollins