“Is there a blessing for a new job?”
I got this question from an old friend who is currently job-hunting. I hope that he has an occasion to bless his new job very soon.
The quick answer is yes, there’s always Shehecheyanu, the blessing for an unusual event, be it a holiday or even the taste of the first fruit of the season:
Baruch Ata, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehecheyanu, v’kiyemanu, v’higianu, lazman hazeh.
Blessed are you, Eternal our God, Ruler of Time-and-Space, who has given us life, protected us, and brought us to this moment.
But what about something more specific? The guy is a baby boomer like myself – we’re of an age now when getting a new job means triumphing over ageism and beating the odds. Getting a new job is a very big deal, and it speaks to dignity and survival. I think it should have its own special blessing:
Baruch Ata, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shenatan li tikvah v’ko-ach v’he-vi oti l’avodah hadashah zo, kach ani yochal l’hitparnas.
Blessed are you, Eternal our God, Ruler of Time-and-Space, who gives me hope and strength and has brought me to this new employment so that I may make a living.
May the day come when all people have the dignity of honest work for a sufficient wage and the sustenance of body and spirit it provides!
Hello Rabbi, thank you for your many wonderful columns. ‘Blessing for a new job’ is great–thank you! I recently started a new job two days after turning 50.
Mazal tov, Anne! I wish you great success!
I just found this post because I’m applying for a dream job today. Thought you might like to know this is still reaching people!
G’evening, Rabbi (it’s 8:50pm on the East Coast). I appreciate the prayers you suggested and created for new employment. In this case, I’m conveying both prayers to my daughter, whose soon to be betrothed gentleman, has found a new job in his chosen field.
Warm regards,
I wish them happiness, and wish him the best with his work!