In the Jewish tradition, there is a profound understanding that words carry within them the seeds of creation itself. When God spoke the world into being, He bestowed upon humanity a spark of this divine creative power through the gift of speech. It is perhaps this divine origin that makes our words so potent – capable of building worlds or, conversely, of tearing them down. As King Solomon wrote in his timeless wisdom in the book of Proverbs:
Among the most sacred uses of speech is the giving of blessings. More than good wishes or hollow proclamations, blessings carry the potential to shape reality itself. We see this demonstrated dramatically in the biblical story of Isaac’s blessing of his sons (Genesis 27), where words once spoken could not be undone, even when obtained through deception. Jacob’s stolen blessing remained powerful and irrevocable, transforming not just his own destiny but the future of an entire people.
Just as blessings were significant in biblical times, we continue to witness the transformative power of blessed words in our own time. Sometimes the most profound blessings come wrapped in seemingly casual conversations.
Such is the extraordinary story of Aluma Ha’itan. On October 7th, 2023, when darkness descended upon Israel, Aluma’s brother Amichai Vanino fell defending Kibbutz Kfar Aza. During the traditional seven-day mourning period, when the family was enveloped in grief, a seemingly ordinary exchange between two mothers carried the seeds of future joy. This moment would prove to be a turning point of unexpected blessing.
As a family friend prepared to leave after paying her condolence call, she expressed the customary wish to “meet on happier occasions.” Aluma’s mother, drawing from a wellspring of hope even in her darkest hour, responded with specific words that would prove prophetic: a wish to meet at the weddings of their children, Aluma and Meir.
What makes this story particularly remarkable is that Aluma’s mother had no intention of suggesting a match between her daughter and Meir. She was simply expressing hope for both young people to find their respective spouses. Yet something profound happened in that moment – the mere articulation of their names together planted a seed in Meir’s mother’s mind, who interpreted the blessing as a divine hint about their potential match. It’s a powerful reminder of how blessings can work in mysterious ways, often exceeding the intentions of those who speak them.
What began as a mother’s hopeful blessing transformed into reality through a series of gentle nudges from providence. The timing was delicate – Aluma was still processing her profound loss. Yet, there was a touching connection: Meir had known Amichai, creating a bridge between past and future, between grief and hope. This blessing would lead Aluma from mourning to joy.
In a poetic turn of events that speaks to the circular nature of life, Meir proposed to Aluma at an observation point established in Amichai’s memory. This location became not just a memorial to a fallen hero, but a starting point for new life and love. It served as a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, the potential for joy and renewal remains present.
Aluma herself, in sharing her story, emphasized the transformative power of blessings and good wishes. She understood that her own journey from grief to joy stood as a testament to how words spoken with hope and faith can manifest in ways we never imagined. Her experience led her to become an advocate for the practice of offering sincere blessings, recognizing that every good wish carries within it the potential for actual change in people’s lives.
In a world that often feels fragmented by sorrow, this story stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith, hope, and the simple act of blessing one another. Like the ancient words of blessing that have echoed through generations since biblical times, our own words carry divine potential. We must choose them with care and speak them with intention, for we never know which casual blessing might become the seed of future joy. In doing so, we participate in the ongoing divine act of creation, using our words to bring light, love, and healing into the world, even in its darkest moments.
“Stand By Me Volume II: Daily, Sabbath and Festival Prayers” bridges ancient wisdom with modern faith, offering a curated collection of prayers for daily use, holidays, and the Sabbath. Elevate your spiritual practice with this essential guide and experience a deeper, more heartfelt connection with the Almighty.
