This post presents Rabbi Shefa Gold’s meditative Aramaic and English chant based on the Ben Ish Chai’s one-line version of the Grace After Meals. The Ben Ish Chai (Rabbi Yosef Hayim, 1835-1909), was a leading Sephardic rabbi and Kabbalist who lived in Baghdad. He ruled that in extreme cases when someone is very short on time or does not know how to read Hebrew, this one line blessing in Aramaic, based on a verse in the Talmud (Brachot 40b), can be recited instead of the lengthy Grace After Meals. Rabbi Shefa Gold is a Renewal and Reconstuctionist Rabbi who teaches chanting, devotional healing, spiritual community-building and meditation. This resource was shared on Ritualwell, a project of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College that provides a platform for creating new Jewish practices and observances.
בְּרִיך רַחֲמָנָא מַלְכָּא דְעַלְמָא מָרֵיהּ דְהַאי פִּיתָּא
B’rikh rakhamana, malka de’alma marey d’hai pita
You are the source of life for all that is, and your blessing flows through me.