JACS Spirituality Pages

JACS: Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons, and Significant Others

JACS SPIRITUALITY PAGES

A Blessing in Sobriety

by Jay S.

Hidden in the middle of most prayer books is an obscure section containing miscellaneous blessings. Included in this collection is the following bracha:

"Blessed are You, Lord, our G-d, Ruler of the universe, Who performed a miracle for me at this place."

The Complete ArtScroll Siddur gives the following instruction for saying this blessing:

"Upon seeing a place where one had earlier experienced a miracle that saved him from imminent danger (one who experienced such salvation in more than one place during his lifetime must append a roster of the other places to the end of the blessing)."

I am not sure of when to use this blessing in my own life. When I reflect on my behavior when I was active, I believe that G-d was constantly saving me from imminent danger. Somehow, it feels excessive to say this every time I get into my car, for example.

Still, it's important for me to express my gratitude for all the miracles which G-d performed for me, and for the acts which G-d continues to do in my life.

Once again, I find that Judaism has written a script for me to follow in recovery.