On Friday night, an Orthodox acquaintance walked over to me and asked, “Do you want a bracha?”
“I’m sorry?” I said.
“Do you want a bracha?”
“Umm, yes,” I said and bowed my head.
He said that he wished me to have good things in life, to find my way, to get married and to have children, and that I should use my writing to be a blessing.
“Thank you,” I said afterward.
“You’re supposed to say ‘amen’,” he said.
“Amen,” I said.
I’ve been given brachas before but was always embarrassed to receive them. I actually liked this one. And the next time I see this guy, I’m going to ask for another one.
There are many mystical parts of Judaism, such as Tanya, that are starting to speak to me.
I think I’m letting down my defenses against Orthodox Judaism.
