Note 31 — II. OUR DUTIES. (continued 4)

‏ברוך אתה … בורא פרי הגפן‎ “Blessed art thou, O Lord, our God, King of the universe, who hast created the fruit of the vine.” In the absence of wine, or if wine is disliked or injurious to health, the blessing over bread is substituted for that over wine.—The blessings are generally preceded by the word ‏סברי‎ “Is it your pleasure, scil., that I read?” whereby it is simply intended to call the attention of the company to the prayer. ↑