Barukh she'amar


Barukh she'amar, is the opening blessing to pesukei dezimra.
The prominent version of Barukh sheamar contains 87 words. This is the gematria of the Hebrew word paz meaning "refined gold.". An alternative text is printed in some Sephardic prayer books, often alongside the traditional version.

Purpose

Barukh she'amar acts as a transition in the prayer service. In the Syrian tradition, the common melody for the prayer is derived from that of Hatikvah.

Origin

Initially, Saadya Gaon instituted the recitation of barukh she'amar for Shabbat, but in France, it became a custom to recite this prayer daily. Saadya Gaon wrote in his siddur two Barukh she'amars: weekdays version has one "barukh" and Shabbath version has 12 "barukhs". The modern version combined two Barukh she'amars versions together with 13 "barukhs" interpreting it qabbalistically like "echad" gematria.
In the Sephardic and Oriental liturgy, the custom is to recite all the additional psalms of Shabbat prior to Barukh sheamar on Shabbat.

Aspects of God

There are seven aspects of God mentioned in Barukh she'amar. These are:
  1. God spoke and the world came to be.
  2. God speaks, does, decrees, and fulfills.
  3. God is merciful.
  4. God rewards those who fear Him.
  5. God is eternal.
  6. God rescues and redeems people.
  7. Blessed is God's name.