Bentshen

(Yid. "bless"). Term used by many Ashkenazim to denote the act of reciting a benediction whenever this is required by Jewish law, especially Grace After Meals. Etymologically, the term derives from an Old French verb, beneïr or beneïstre (cf. Lat. benedicere), which Yiddish-speaking Jews borrowed in medieval times. A kindred Romance expression (benc̣~ao) is current among Jews of Spanish and Portuguese origin. The opening Hebrew phrase in Grace after Meals---Rabbotai nevarekh, "Gentlemen, let us pronounce the blessing!"---is sometimes replaced among Ashkenazi Jews by the Yiddish equivalent, Rabbosay, mir velen bentshen. The special booklet for Grace and Sabbath table hymns is known as a bentsher. There are also other forms of benediction to which the Yiddish term is applied: lighting candles for the Sabbath and festivals (likht-bentshen), reciting the prayer blessing the New Moon (Rosh Ḥodesh bentshen), waving the Four Species on Sukkot (bentshen lulav), and giving thanks after surviving a danger or on returning from a long journey (bentshen "Gomel").

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