“Bakol, Mikol, Kol” — The Hidden Meaning of the Blessing in Birkat HaMazon

“Bakol, Mikol, Kol” — The Hidden Meaning of the Blessing in Birkat HaMazon

In the blessing of Birkat HaMazon, we ask G-d to bless us as He blessed our forefathers—Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov—namely, with “Bakol, Mikol, Kol”. The Midrash associates the three forefathers—Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov—with the words “bakol” (in everything), “mikol” (from everything), and “kol” (everything), respectively, as it is written: concerning Avraham: “and the L-rd blessed Avraham with everything” (Bereishit 24:1); concerning Yitzchak: “and he brought it to me, and I ate from everything” (Bereishit 27:33); concerning Yaakov: “for G-d has been gracious to me, and I have everything” (Bereishit 33:11). The Talmud (Bava Batra 17a) states that Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov were able, during their lifetimes, to experience a taste of the World to Come—the world to which the soul goes after a person dies. The proof of this is found in the words of the Torah. Only concerning them, the forefathers, is it said: “The Almighty blessed them with everything.” The gematria of the word “kol” is 50 (the spiritual level of the number 5—corresponding to the Five Books of the Torah and symbolizing that which is beyond the material). Each of the three blessings contains the word “kol” (everything), signifying a comprehensive and all-encompassing blessing. What, then, is “kol”? When Yaakov was returning to Eretz Yisrael from Lavan, he faced a fateful encounter with his brother Esav. To appease Esav, Yaakov sent him gifts. But Esav did not want to accept them. When they met face-to-face, Esav boasted that he had no need for Yaakov’s gifts because: “Yesh li rov” — (I have plenty). (Bereishit 33:9) But Yaakov persuaded Esav to accept the gifts, assuring him that he, too, had: “Yesh li kol” — (I have everything I need). This exchange was more than just a conversation between two brothers. Through these words, the Torah gives us a profound understanding of the nature of two very different people—and of the nations that would descend from each of them. With the words: “Yesh li rov” — (I have a lot, but I can always use more)—Esav takes pride in his wealth and reveals that his appetite is insatiable. Yaakov’s words, “Yesh li kol”, emphasize that he is content with what he has. He feels no lack whatsoever. (Kli Yakar) This is the basis for the teaching in Pirkei Avot 4:1: “Who is wealthy? One who is satisfied with his portion.” Interestingly, concerning Yishmael the Torah says: “His hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand will be against him” (Bereishit 16:12)—in the original: “Yado bakol, ve-yad kol bo”. The description of Yishmael contains Avraham’s blessing—“bakol”—and Yaakov’s blessing—“kol”; what is missing is “mikol”, Yitzchak’s blessing. “And the L-rd blessed Avraham with everything.” (Bereishit 24:1) The gematria of the word “bakol” (with everything) is 52, the same as the gematria of the word “ben” (son), which is also 52. Since he had a son, he was obligated to marry him off. Therefore, the Torah immediately goes on to describe Avraham’s instruction to his servant Eliezer concerning how to arrange Yitzchak’s marriage. (The Seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe) The blessing of “bakol” also hints at the ultimate blessing Avraham received—and that was his son Yitzchak. The gematria of “bakol” is 52. The gematria of the name “Eliyahu” is also 52. It is known that Eliyahu is Pinchas, and the gematria of Pinchas is 208—the same as the name Yitzchak, which is also 208. Rabbi Meir says that Avraham was blessed by not having a daughter. In Avraham’s time, there would have been no one for her to marry. Therefore, it was a blessing not to have a daughter. Rabbi Yehudah says the opposite: Avraham’s additional blessing was that he did have a daughter. There is even an opinion that her name was Bakol. Chazal reveal a hidden secret of the Torah: the word “bakol” hints that the Holy One, blessed be He, possesses a Divine attribute called “kol” (everything), because it is the foundation of all things, as it is written: “I am the L-rd, who made everything!” (Yeshayahu 44:24) It is also written: “The excellence of the earth is in everything (bakol)” (Kohelet 5:8). That is, the qualities of this land—its expansiveness and abundance—are connected to the fact that it is founded upon the attribute of “bakol” (everything). This attribute corresponds to the eighth of the Thirteen Attributes of the Almighty. An even loftier attribute of the Creator is called “bat” (daughter). Through this attribute, the Almighty governs “everything”, and it is the Supreme Judgment of the Holy One, blessed be He, represented throughout the Torah by the phrase “and the L-rd”. In Shir HaShirim, this same attribute is called “kalah” כלה (bride), because it encompasses “everything” הכל (ha-kol), the very same letters. Our Sages refer to this attribute in many instances as “Knesset Yisrael” (the Assembly of Israel), because it is “kinusat ha-kol” (the gathering of everything). (Ramban) The gematria of the phrase “bakol mikol kol” is 192, the same as the gematria of the word “kabbetz” (“gather the exiles”).       (The Seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe) “If the letters of the word “lecha” (for yourself)—from Avraham’s “lech lecha”—are rearranged, they form the word “kol” (kaf, lamed)—(everything). This word contains the blessings granted to Avraham and his descendants, both those mentioned and those not mentioned by the Torah, provided that he fulfills the Creator’s commands.” (Rabbi Gedaliah Spinadel)