Before drinking water, Jews recite a specific blessing known as a Bracha (blessing). This practice is rooted in Jewish tradition, which mandates giving thanks for various acts of consumption, including drinking water.
The exact blessing said before drinking water is:
Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheinu Melech Haolam Shehakol Nihiya Bidvaro
Understanding the Bracha
This Hebrew phrase translates to: "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, by Whose word everything came into being."
- Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheinu Melech Haolam: This opening phrase is common to many blessings, acknowledging God as the source of all blessings and the sovereign King of the Universe.
- Shehakol Nihiya Bidvaro: This unique phrase specifically for water (and other items not derived from the earth in a significant way, or items that do not fit into other specific blessing categories) attributes the existence of everything to God's command or word. Water, being a fundamental element vital for life, is recognized as a direct creation of God.
When to Recite the Bracha
- Before Consumption: The Bracha for water must be recited before you begin drinking.
- Duration of Effect: Once recited, this blessing covers all water consumed during that specific "drinking session." This means if you take a sip, say the Bracha, and then continue to drink from the same glass or bottle within a reasonable timeframe, you do not need to repeat the Bracha for each subsequent sip. However, if there is a significant break, or you start a new session of drinking, the Bracha should be repeated.
This practice reflects a core principle in Judaism: acknowledging the divine source of sustenance and expressing gratitude for every blessing, even for something as fundamental as a glass of water.
