After we eat our food, there is a blessing that we say, called boreh nefashot. It’s short and meaningful.
It goes like this: “Blessed are You… who creates numerous souls and their deficiencies; for all that You have created with which to maintain the life of every being. Blessed is He, the life of worlds.”
Why would we be thanking God for creating a deficiency?
The deficiencies in our life give space for others to help us. If we were all self-sufficient, there would be no need for kindness or human interaction at all. Humans crave friendship, and therefore we have the opportunity to be a friend.
We need shelter, so builders can build us a home. The builder may need something that only we can provide. Interdependence creates an interactive society with opportunities to give and take.
We would all rather be on the giving side of life, but this prayer reminds us that even our deficiencies are good. Allowing another person to help us is a gift for them. Thanking them makes them feel useful, and accepting gracefully can teach us humility.
We ask Hashem to be in the position of a giver, but when it is our turn to be on the other side, it feels so uncomfortable! Let us try to thank Hashem for those kind and generous people who have chosen to give to us. One day, we will have the opportunity to reciprocate, for that is the way of the world.
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