One of the ways we can get to know someone is by their personal attributes. If you were able to make a list of declarative facts about me, for example, you would have a pretty good idea of who Jack Moline is. Take the most obvious fact to most of you: Jack is a rabbi. Along with dozens of other such statements (father, husband, man, Jew, Cubs fan, comedy maven, activist, etc.), you could get a description of me. However, the word "rabbi" resonates differently for every person (as do all of the other nouns). The combination of objective information and subjective reactions places every person in unique relationship with me that rests on common ground. And if you have interacted with me, the relationship is deepened and enriched (even if the interaction has not been positive, God forbid!).

On a different plane, a brakha serves a similar function in developing a relationship with God. A brakha is simply a declarative sentence about God – a preamble that "names" God (more later) followed by one of dozens and dozens of nouns that, in the aggregate, give us a description of God, at least to the best of our collective ability.

Another way to put it: the brakhot comprise our theology.

Each of those dozens and dozens of nouns resonates differently for each person. The combination of objective information and subjective reactions places every person in unique relationship with God that rests on common ground. And if you have had the experience of interacting with God, however you perceive that experience, the relationship is deepened and enriched.

The brakha is the building-block of prayer. As we progress through the vocabulary of the prayer book, I hope that our common ground (services) and your unique relationship (praying) will be enhanced.