Seder Seudat Amenim

Seder Seudat Amenim

Seudat Amenim is a meal during which berachot are recited and people answer “Amen.” Seudat Amenim is commonly practiced during Hafrashat Challah and visits to the kivrei tzadikim. Both of these are “Et ratzon”—an auspicious time for prayers to be accepted in Heaven. Every “Amen” that is said aloud and with kavanah creates an angel. In Hebrew, the word אמן can be interpreted as follows: א - אחד—one מ - מלך—king נ - נולד—is born This is also hinted at by the equal gematria of the words “amen” and “malach” (angel)—both have a gematria of 91.   The order of preference for reciting berachot is known by the mnemonic מ ג א ע ש - (MeGaESh): 1. Mezonot 2. ha-Gefen 3. ha-Adamah 4. ha-Etz 5. Shehakol In a Seudat Amenim, each blessing has its own special quality, and each blessing has the power to draw abundance from the Upper Worlds. The word אמן (amen) comes from the word אמונה (emunah) (faith). One who answers “Amen” is protected from Heaven.  

Segulot of the Berachot

Mezonot—for abundance and a good livelihood; Gefen—for finding one's soulmate; Etz—for offspring; Adamah—for health; Shehakol—for all types of yeshuot. One who answers “Amen” to a blessing with all their heart has the gates of Gan Eden opened for them, as it is written: “Open the gates, and the righteous nation that keeps faith shall enter.” (Isaiah 26:2)  

Seder Seudat Amenim

1. Mezonot—the berachah recited over food made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, and spelt, other than bread. This is a segulah for parnassah, since the root of the word mezonot is “zan” (sustenance): - BARUCH ATA ADO-NAI ELOHEINU MELECH HA-OLAM, BORE MINEI MEZONOT (Blessed are You, G-d, our L-rd, King of the universe, Who creates various kinds of nourishment.) Ribono Shel Olam! In the merit of the blessing “bore minei mezonot” and in the merit of answering “Amen” to it, please give us and all the people of Israel everything we need with a generous hand, without hardship or suffering, from Your hand and not from human hands. Please, Almighty G-d, Who provides sustenance and clothes Your creations, give us and all the people of Israel abundant sustenance with ease, including (name).   2. Gefen—the berachah recited over wine or grape juice. This is a segulah for “zivug”—finding one's marriage partner: - BARUCH ATA ADO-NAI ELOHEINU MELECH HA-OLAM, BOREI PERI HA-GEFEN (Blessed are You, G-d, our L-rd, King of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the vine.) Ribono Shel Olam! In the merit of the blessing “borei peri ha-gefen” and in the merit of answering “Amen” to it, please, in Your great mercy and abundant kindness, grant all the single people among the people of Israel a partner suited to the root of their souls, without delay or obstacles, and may all accusers disappear this year, including (name and mother's name).   3. ha-Etz—the berachah recited over fruit that grows on a tree. This is a segulah for having children: just as a tree has fruit, so a person's children are their fruit: - BARUCH ATA ADO-NAI ELOHEINU MELECH HA-OLAM, BOREI PERI HA-ETZ (Blessed are You, G-d, our L-rd, King of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the tree.) Ribono Shel Olam! In the merit of the blessing “borei peri ha-etz” and in the merit of answering “Amen” to it, please, in Your great mercy and abundant kindness, grant all the childless among the people of Israel offspring to serve You. Grant them children who are whole in soul and body; may they merit to raise them in Torah and mitzvot, rejoice in them for many years, including (name and mother's name).   4. ha-Adamah—the berachah recited over produce of the ground (vegetables and everything that grows from the earth, including, for example, pineapples and bananas, since a banana plant is not considered a tree and its fruit is therefore considered produce of the ground). This is a segulah for health, since “adamah” means earth or soil, from which man was created—more precisely, his body, or guf: - BARUCH ATA ADO-NAI ELOHEINU MELECH HA-OLAM, BOREI PERI HA-ADAMAH (Blessed are You, G-d, our L-rd, King of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the ground.) Ribono Shel Olam! In the merit of the blessing “borei peri ha-adamah” and in the merit of answering “Amen” to it, please help us and all those in good health among the people of Israel remain free of illness and sin and not suffer falls. G-d forbid that we should need to visit doctors or undergo medical treatment. May all the sick among the people of Israel receive a complete recovery soon. Save us from all troubles, poverty, and everything bad, including (name and mother's name).   5. Shehakol—the berachah recited over foods of animal origin (meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products), beverages, and other non-plant-based foods. This is a segulah for shalom bayit and peace among people. - BARUCH ATA ADO-NAI ELOHEINU MELECH HA-OLAM, SHEHAKOL NIHYAH BIDVARO (Blessed are You, G-d, our L-rd, King of the universe, by Whose word everything comes into being.) Ribono Shel Olam! In the merit of the blessing “shehakol nihyah bidvaro” and in the merit of answering “Amen” to it, may all Jews merit every blessing and salvation. Send us blessing, success, and Heavenly assistance in all our endeavors, for we place our hope in Your Redemption. Including (name and mother's name).   Berachot after a meal After a meal with bread, “Birkat HaMazon” is recited; After a meal in which mezonot were eaten, wine was drunk, or fruits of the Land of Israel were eaten, the three-part blessing “Me'ein Shalosh” is recited; After beverages (other than wine and grape juice) and non-plant-based foods, the berachah “Borei Nefashot” is recited. Stories of Tzadikim about the Blessing “Borei Nefashot” Amen to “Borei Nefashot” — a segula for having children   (With thanks for the contributed material to Lena Solomonova, Bracha Shalmieva, and Zoya Haya Tigai)