Psalm 17:8 gives us this beautiful image: "Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings." It's a plea for protection, for closeness to God. But Midrash Tehillim, the collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Psalms, uses this verse as a springboard to discuss something really practical: blessings.

The rabbis argue that enjoying the world without offering blessings is a serious oversight. In fact, they suggest you’ll be held accountable for it until you do perform the commandments. Think about it: every bite of food, every moment of beauty, everything we experience is ultimately a gift. Do we acknowledge that? Do we give thanks?

Rabbi Abbahu brings in another verse, this time from Deuteronomy 22:9: "Lest the fullness of the earth make the seed holy." He compares the world to a vineyard. And how do we "redeem" that vineyard, how do we make it holy? Through blessing! By acknowledging that the bounty isn't just ours to take, but something we receive.

This idea is echoed in a teaching attributed to Rish Lakish. He quotes Psalm 16:2: "You have said to the Lord, 'You are my Lord, apart from you I have no good.'" Now, there are layers to this. One interpretation is that if you eat and bless, it's as if you're eating from your own store, meaning you're rightfully enjoying what you've been given. But another, even deeper interpretation, is that without God, all good things would simply pass us by.

It's a subtle but powerful distinction. Are we simply consumers, taking what we want? Or are we vessels, receiving blessings and channeling them into the world?

There's a fascinating interpretation that follows: "I consume all the good things in my body, but my body does not consume them." In other words, we absorb nourishment, but we don’t just hoard it. We use it to live, to create, to give back. It's a cycle of receiving and giving.

Rabbi Aha adds another layer. He says, "When I bring good into the world, I do not bring it without you." He then quotes Genesis 41:44: "And without you no man shall raise his hand." This refers to Pharaoh acknowledging Joseph's wisdom and authority. But Rabbi Aha uses it to illustrate a larger point: even our actions, our good deeds, are ultimately enabled by a higher power. We can't do it alone.

So, what does this all mean for us today?

Maybe it's a reminder to slow down. To be mindful of the blessings in our lives, both big and small. To say thank you – not just to God, but to the people who make our lives better, to the world that sustains us.

It's about recognizing that we are part of something larger than ourselves. We are connected to a source of goodness, and our role is not just to consume, but to receive with gratitude and to give back with intention. It is through the act of blessing that we sanctify the everyday and participate in the ongoing creation of the world. Are we doing our part?