AMEN SONGS: Todah Al Kol Ma Shebarata (Haim Moshe)

Chaim Moshe’s “Todah al Kol Mah Shebarata” (“Thank You for All That You Have Created”) is a heartfelt song of gratitude—simple in language, yet profound in spirit. Its recurring line, “Todah” (“Thank you”), becomes a kind of mantra, expressing appreciation not just for the good, but for all of life’s complexities. The song acknowledges that everything—joy, struggle, beauty, and even brokenness—has a place in the sacred order of creation. It captures the essence of our theme, “Amen – Be a Blessing,” reminding us that to bless is to give thanks, and to give thanks is to see the world through eyes of faith. Gratitude is not merely an emotional response; it is a spiritual discipline that affirms the goodness of life even when it’s difficult to understand.

This message is beautifully echoed in Parashat Balak, where God transforms curses into blessings. The Moabite king Balak hires the prophet Balaam to curse Israel, but God intervenes—causing Balaam to speak blessings instead. What begins as an act of hostility becomes a moment of divine grace. Just as Chaim Moshe’s song teaches us to say thank youfor all that God has made—regardless of whether we immediately understand its purpose—Balak reminds us that even what is intended for harm can be redirected toward good. In both the parasha and the song, we are invited to trust in the deeper wisdom of God’s plan and to respond with gratitude, even when the road is uncertain.

When we live with a heart of todah, we become more than recipients of blessing—we become sources of blessing ourselves. “Todah al Kol Mah Shebarata” challenges us to widen our perspective, to see the full picture of life with reverence and humility. As we reflect on Parashat Balak, we are reminded that blessings are not always obvious, and that sometimes the most powerful blessings emerge from unexpected places. By embracing gratitude as a way of being, we fulfill the deeper calling of amen—not just to affirm, but to live our lives as an offering of thanks.