My reasoning behind this blessing is that much like ShabbatShabbat is the Sabbath day, the Day of Rest, and is observed from Friday night through Saturday night. Is set aside from the rest of the week both in honor of the fact that God rested on the seventh day after creating the world. On Shabbat, many Jews observe prohibitions from various activities designated as work. Shabbat is traditionally observed with festive meals, wine, challah, prayers, the reading and studying of Torah, conjugal relations, family time, and time with friends. is a moment of rest and rejuvenation and—yes—pleasure, so too is taking some time to tend to your own spiritual, erotic, and amorous needs. I included both male and female forms of God in this blessing—even in the verb “gives,” as is often done in the queer community in IsraelLit. ''the one who struggles with God.'' Israel means many things. It is first used with reference to Jacob, whose name is changed to Israel (Genesis 32:29), the one who struggles with God. Jacob's children, the Jewish people, become B'nai Israel, the children of Israel. The name also refers to the land of Israel and the State of Israel.. We’re all welcome at God’s table. One thing I’ve loved about making aliyahLit. Ascending Being called up to recite the blessing before and after a Torah reading. Also, a term used upon moving to Israel (i.e., making aliyah) to Israel is how in Tel Aviv, my queer and Jewish selves meld seamlessly. Rather than feeling shame about my sexuality, it’s integrated into my Judaism. Rather than turning self-pleasure or masturbation into a moment of embarrassment, I’d like to lift it up into a moment of beauty and joy.
.ברוך אתה יי / ברוכה את יה הנותנ/ת כוח ורגעי שמחה. וקראת לשבת עונג
Barukh atah Adonai / Berukhah at YahA name for God, as in "halleluyah" – praise God. Some people prefer this name for God as a non-gendered option. ha-noten/notenet koakh ve-rega’ei simkhahA happy occasion. Usually describes a celebration for a life cycle event (birth, wedding, etc.).. Ve-karata/karat le-Shabbat oneg.
Blessed are you Adonai, blessed are you ShekhinahThe feminine name of God, expounded upon in the rabbinic era and then by the Kabbalists in extensive literature on the feminine attributes of the divine., the giver—in both male and female forms—of strength and moments of joy. For you called the Sabbath “pleasure.”
