Bless This Food is a collection of over 150 mealtime blessings meticulously selected from specific religions and sacred texts (Buddhism, Christianity, Coptic Orthodox, Dead Sea Scrolls, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sufism, Tamil, & Unitarianism) ancient traditions (African, Egyptian, Greek, Indian, Native American), and beautiful words from great minds (e.g., Gandhi, Milton, Muhammad, Shakespeare, & Starhawk).
Butash shares intriguing details about each blessing’s history and traditions. The book includes an adult and child’s grace in American Sign Language and presents the book title and blessing in 19 languages.
Gratitude for the Sacred Gift of Food
Butash recounts the history of expressing gratitude for food in the first 21 pages of the book. According to Butash, every culture has beliefs or commandments that require honoring the higher power by acknowledging the gift of food. Food serves as an ongoing reminder to express thanks.
For some families, saying a blessing before every meal is common. In some religious, it is required. This attitude of gratitude touches the first minutes of life as baby and mother bond with food. Ultimately, the food and gratitude bond becomes an appreciation of both physical and spiritual nourishment that are acknowledged in food blessings.
Food and Connections
Food links the past to the present. The blessings, no matter how ancient, express the same emotions and attitudes experienced today. In this poem (pg. 73), written by Ch’eng-kung Sui over 1700 years ago, the poet captures the joy and fellowship of inviting friends to share a meal. This poem could easily have been written today.
I sent out invitations
To summon guests.
I collected together all my friends.
Loud talk
And ample feasting;
Discussion of philosophy,
Investigation of subtleties.
Tongues loosened
And minds at one.
Hearts refreshed
By discharge of emotion!
Food as a Gift for Good Works
This Buddhist mealtime prayer (pg. 19), points out that while food is a gift, it comes with a price that must be repaid. The prayer focuses the recipient on how the energy food provides must be used spiritually to make things better.
“The food is the gift of the whole universe. Each morsel is a sacrifice of life. May I be worthy to receive it. May the energy in this food give me the strength to transform my unwholesome qualities into wholesome ones. I am grateful for this food. May I realize the Path of awakening, for the sake of all beings.”
Bless This Food Organization
Readers will appreciate the multiple reference indexes Butash supplies. The graces themselves are presented in chronological order. Butash connects each grace to the religious traditions and sacred texts from which the blessing is derived. A list of authors and the country and culture of origin for each blessing are indexed. The original source material for each blessing is cited in detail. An index of first lines completes the book.
411 on Adrian Butash
Adrian Butash is a creative and marketing professional. He produces advertising campaigns in addition to arts, television and publishing projects. Another interest of Butash's is study of the Holocaust. Combining that knowledge with his artistic talents, Butash designed a memorial about the Mauthausen concentration camp. Butash served in the U.S. Marine Corps
When asked to comment on the book for the review, Butash said that, “A family praying together is a beautiful thing. When we say a grace at the table before eating, we give thanks for our togetherness, our blessings, and our happiness. For loved ones who are deceased, for friends and family who are far away, a grace said at the table that mentions their names is a magical way to honor them and have them rejoin the table in a sublime sense.”
Bless This Food is a well researched collection of blessings from many countries and different faiths. Yet, the common themes and emotions of these food blessings, demonstrate the common gratitude humans feel for the gift of food.
A copy of Bless This Food for the dining room table will enhance and enrich the experience as the family gathers to break bread.
For those seeking a more formal way to celebrate the family feast, The Thanksgiving Ceremony offers a participatory ceremony to reflect on blessings enjoyed, remember those no longer at the table and set goals for the upcoming year.
Original copyright 1993, Delacorte press
Revised and expanded, 2007 New World Library
ISBN 10: 1-57731-591X
ISBN 13: 978-1-57731-591-9
HOL101
Lynn Brogan - After a career of training and senior level administrative work, Lynn is following her passion; research and writing. Lynn writes Suite101 ...
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