Sometimes saying ‘Boruch Hashem’ is not so easy.

“If one digs deep into their soul to find blessing and then articulates that blessing in the form of praise to G-d, the Presence of G-d, the Shechina, will immediately rest on that individual and whatever they pray for at that moment will be heard. (ARI)

This explains why:

* Before we begin to pray in the morning we say over fifteen blessings. We praise G-d for our sight, our clothing, our status in life and almost every aspect of life that most people take for granted. Immediately following these blessings the Shechina rests upon us. We take advantage of the moment and say “Yehi Ratzon” a heartfelt appeal to G-d asking Him to make our day pleasant, safe, full of love and good health.

* We begin the Amidah, the silent prayer in which we speak directly to G-d, by praising G-d for His Greatness, strength and awesomeness. We express our thanks to Him for His kindness in life and in the afterlife. We marvel at how He heals, gives support and frees the confined. Immediately following these blessings, we once again take advantage of the Shechina and recite the Shemoneh Esreh, asking G-d to tend to all of our needs for that day and for life.

* On each festival we recite the Hallel, six psalms of praise especially formulated for holiday celebration. We take advantage of the Shechinah and immediately follow these praises with “Ana Hashem”, an impassioned plea to G-d to save us and grant us success.

* The Torah records that “Joseph” was successful in Egypt. The Talmud explains that this was because no matter what the situation Joseph had the name of G-d on the tip of his tongue. He would always say “Boruch HaShem”. Even though his life seemed to travel in the opposite direction of happiness and success he still always found something to praise G-d about. This caused the Shechina to rest upon him. His prayers were heard and he was successful.

* As the Chanukah miracles occurred the Jewish people were absolutely taken with Hashem's love and care of Jerusalem and our people. They spontaneously sang praise to Hashem. The Rabbinic leaders captured the moment to create a holiday dedicated to the praise of Hashem. Because of this praise the lights of the Temple miraculously burned, testifying to the fact that the Shechina once again rested upon the Temple. The Jewish people prayed to G-d and the Beis HaMikdash outlived the Assyrian Greeks by two hundred years.

Sometimes saying 'Boruch Hashem' is not so easy. Discovering the blessings in our life is a true spiritual challenge. However, if we can dig deep enough to appreciate new blessing in our life each day and sing them out in praise to Hashem, we too can have the Shechina rest upon us. May all our prayers be answered.