We say bracha (blessings) before every meal. At Thanksgiving and most holidays we bench afterwards.
what does that mean? Benching?
His, it means we say the Birkat Hamazon, which is the prayer after the meal. It is loooooooong, and has some call and response, etc. It's colloquially called "benching."
Post by melindafelinda on Nov 18, 2013 4:07:13 GMT -5
No, and I don't enjoy it when people do it out loud in front of me. It feels garish somehow. I mean I'm sure it's nice when a people who share a belief can share a prayer, but when different belief systems are involved I prefer a moment of silence for everyone to direct their thoughts inwardly.
I especially do not like when I am hosting and it is done at my house. I don't think that respecting other's beliefs means that the predominant religion gets to take charge and have everyone else remain silent. It feels oppressive.
I like to say something before a special meal, but unless we are with my super religious family, we don't pray. Sometimes we do the "what are you thankful for" business, sometimes (particularly if I've been into the wine and I'm feeling emotions) I say how nice it is we are all together, blah, blah.
Not with my family. In DHs family his grandfather leads the prayer. We haven't had T-Day with his side since papaw died in 2011. I would guess FIL does it now, he seems to be the next head of the family.
With my family, yes (the same prayer Beagle mentioned), and then we go around the table and say what we're thankful for this year, which usually makes us all verklempt. With H's family, no. We usually sit, his Dad gives a small "Happy Thanksgiving, I'm thankful today and every day for my beautiful healthy kids and their spouses that make them so happy, love you all, here's to another year of love and good health" speech, and then we eat.