Blessing

===Judaism===
{{main|Berakhah}}
[[File:Synagoge, Enschede, Mozaiek.jpg|thumb|right|Position in which a Jewish [[kohen]] places his hands and fingers during the [[Priestly Blessing]], detail of a mozaic in the Synagoge of Enschede, Netherlands<ref>The mosaic text reads "בשמאלה עשר וכבוד" ("in her left hand riches and honor"), which is a part of Proverbs 3:16.</ref>]]
In [[Rabbinic Judaism]], a blessing (or ''[[berakhah]]'') is recited at a specified moment during a prayer, ceremony or other activity, especially before and after partaking of food. The function of blessings is to acknowledge [[God in Judaism|God]] as the source of all blessing.<ref name="Chinuch">[[Sefer ha-Chinuch]] 430</ref> A ''berakhah'' of rabbinic origin typically starts with the words, "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe..." Rabbinic Judaism teaches that food ultimately is a gift of the one great Provider, God, and that to partake of food legitimately one should express gratitude to God by reciting the appropriate blessing of rabbinic origin prior, while torah mandates an informal blessing afterwards.<ref name="Chinuch"/> [[Jewish law]] does not reserve recitation of blessings to only a specific class of Jews; but it does mandate specific blessings to specific occasions, so that, for example since medieval times, Jewish women chiefly recite a rabbinic blessing after lighting two [[Shabbat candles]].