In Judaism, there are two categories of ritual objects. Tashmishei kedusha are objects that are themselves holy, like tefillin or a mezuzah. Tashmishei mitzvah are objects used to perform a mitzvah, such as a lulav or shofar. The objects themselves are not sacred, but allow us to perform sacred duties. One such mitzvah is shmirat haguf, taking care of one’s body — which, as we learn in the Creation story, was made in the image of the Divine. I believe that medical devices, such as insulin pumps, feeding tubes, and other objects that allow us to perform the mitzvah of shmirat haguf, should be considered tashmishei mitzvah.
One often says a brakha when using tashmishei mitzvah. However, the traditional brakha for taking medication focuses on healing and recovery, which is not necessarily relevant or accurate for those with chronic conditions. Out of a desire to still ritualize this action but in a more appropriate way, I have developed two brakhot: one for describing the specific action I’m doing, and one that focuses on the mitzvah I’m fulfilling. I often go back and forth between them, depending on my mood.
1)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל מִצְוַת
[the action you are about to perform, e.g. “…עַל מִצְוַת changing my CGM*”]
Barukh ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav vitzivanu al mitzvat [the action you are about to perform, e.g. “…al mitzvat changing my CGM”]
Blessed are You, G-d, Sovereign of the Universe, who made us holy through mitzvot, and instructed us on the mitzvah of [the action you are about to perform, e.g. “…on the mitzvah of changing my CGM”]
2)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל שְׁמִירַת הַגּוּף
Barukh ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav vitzivanu al shmirat haguf.
Blessed are You, G-d, Sovereign of the Universe, who made us holy through mitzvot, and instructed us about taking care of our bodies.
*CGM is a continuous glucose monitor
