The Babylonian Talmud on Occasional Blessings

11b

What blessings does he recite [before studying Torah—Ed.]? R. Judah said [that] Samuel said, “Who sanctified us with his mitzvot and commanded us to engage in matters of Torah.” And R. Yoḥanan concludes [the blessing by adding] the following: “Lord our God, make the words of Your Torah sweet in our mouths and in the mouths of Your people, the house of Israel, so that we and our descendants and the descendants of Your people, the house of Israel, may be those who know Your name and engage in Your Torah. Blessed are You, Lord, who teaches Torah to His people Israel.” And R. Hamnuna said, “Who has chosen us from all the peoples and given us His Torah. Blessed are You, Lord, Giver of the Torah.” R. Hamnuna said, “This is the most outstanding of all the blessings. Therefore, let us recite them all.” [ . . . ]

60b

One who enters a bathroom says [to the angels who accompany him at all times], “Be honored, honorable holy ones, servants of [the One] on High, give honor to the God of Israel, leave me until I enter and do my will and come [back] to you.” Abaye said: A person should not say this, lest they abandon him and go. Rather he should say, “Guard me, guard me, help me, help me, support me, support me, wait for me, wait for me until I enter and come out, as this is the way of man.” Upon exiting, one says, “Blessed . . . who formed man in wisdom, and created in him many orifices and cavities. It is revealed and known before the throne of Your glory that were one of them to be ruptured or blocked, it would be impossible to survive and stand before You.” [With] what [should one] conclude [this blessing]? Rav said: [One should conclude: “Blessed] . . . Healer of the sick.” Samuel said: Abba [Rav] has rendered everyone sick. Rather, [one should say], “Healer of all flesh.” R. Sheshet said: [One should conclude], “Who performs wondrous deeds.” R. Pappa said: Therefore, let us say them both: “Healer of all flesh, who performs wondrous deeds.”

One who enters to sleep on his bed recites [the Shema‘ in his bed] from Shema‘ Yisrael [Hear, O Israel—Ed.] to ve-hayah ‘im shamoa‘ [If you heed—Ed.]. Then he recites, “Blessed . . . who makes the bands of sleep fall upon my eyes and slumber upon my eyelids, and illuminates the pupil of the eye. May it be Your will, O Lord my God, that You make me lie down in peace and give me my portion in Your Torah, accustom me to mitzvot and do not accustom me to transgression, lead me not into error, nor into iniquity, nor into temptation nor into disgrace. May the good inclination have dominion over me and may the evil inclination not have dominion over me. Save me from an evil mishap and evil diseases. Let neither bad dreams nor troubling thoughts disturb me. May my bed be flawless before You, [that my progeny should not be flawed]. Enlighten my eyes [in the morning] lest I sleep [the sleep of] death, [never to awaken]. Blessed are You, O Lord, Who gives light to the whole world in His glory.”

When one awakens, he recites, “My God, the soul You have placed within me is pure. You formed it within me, You breathed it into me, and You guard it while it is within me. One day You will take it from me and restore it within me in the time to come. As long as the soul is within me, I thank You, O Lord my God and God of my ancestors, Master of all worlds, Lord of all souls. Blessed are You, O Lord, who restores souls to lifeless bodies.” Upon hearing the sound of the rooster, one should recite, “Blessed . . . who gave the heart understanding to distinguish between day and night.” Upon opening his eyes, one should recite, “Blessed . . . who gives sight to the blind.” Upon sitting up straight, one should recite, “Blessed . . . who sets captives free.” Upon dressing, one should recite, “Blessed . . . who clothes the naked, [as they would sleep unclothed].” Upon standing up straight, one should recite, “Blessed . . . who raises those bowed down.” Upon descending [from one’s bed] to the ground, one should recite, “Blessed . . . who spreads the earth above the waters, [in thanksgiving for the creation of solid ground upon which to walk].” Upon walking, one should recite, “Blessed . . . who makes firm the steps of man.” Upon putting on his shoes, one should recite, “Blessed . . . who has provided me with all I need.” Upon putting on his belt, one should recite, “Blessed . . . who girds Israel with strength.” Upon spreading a shawl upon his head, one should recite, “Blessed . . . who crowns Israel with glory.” Upon wrapping himself in ritual fringes, one should recite, “Blessed . . . who has made us holy through His commandments and has commanded us to wrap ourselves in [a garment with] ritual fringes.” Upon donning his phylacteries on his arm, one should recite, “Blessed . . . who has made us holy through His commandments and has commanded us to don phylacteries.” [Upon donning phylacteries] on his head, one should recite, “Blessed . . . who has made us holy through His commandments and has commanded us with regard to the mitzvah of phylacteries.” Upon [ritually] washing his hands, “Blessed . . . who has made us holy through His commandments and has commanded us with regard to the washing of the hands.” Upon washing his face, one recites, “Blessed . . . who removes the bands of sleep from my eyes and slumber from my eyelids. And may it be Your will, O Lord my God, to accustom me in Your Torah, attach me to Your mitzvot, and lead me not into transgression, nor into error, nor into iniquity, nor into temptation nor into disgrace. Bend my [evil] inclination to be subservient to You, and distance me from an evil person and an evil acquaintance. Help me attach myself to the good inclination and to a good friend in Your world. Grant me, today and every day, grace, loving-kindness, and compassion in Your eyes and the eyes of all who see me, and bestow loving-kindness upon me. Blessed are You, O Lord, Who bestows loving-kindness on His people, Israel.”