lately I've noticed that people believe you've got the power to bless others on your Hebrew birthday. i guess it's nice to receive these blessings, but where does it come from? is there a known source? or did it start like many other segulos, one person did it, and all her friends decided it would be a good thing to do...? like the jewelry under the chuppah. it's a well-known thing that the bride and groom can't wear gold jewelry under the chuppah. who was the first person to make it into a segula? perhaps it was just a friend who wore the kallah's jewelry and jokingly said, "maybe it's a segula to get married" and from there it became yet another thing for the kallah to worry about during her wedding:whose going to get what jewelry. it's become a whole hierarchy. if there is an older single relative she gets the engagement ring. then the best friend, and so on. i was at a wedding where they totally forgot about this, and only realized under the chuppah. a cousin rushed up to take the jewelry and distribute it among the friends. my friend ended up with the chatan's silver watch. every one's so busy with the little things, that they forget to focus on what's really important.

so back to the blessing. it's become more than just wishing someone all the best. you have to list all the important ones:should find a shidduch, at the right time, should have money so your husband can sit and learn, have good kids that don't give you heartache and stress headaches, should get along well with mother-in-law so you get to inherit some of the family jewelry....i once observed someone giving a blessing, who was interrupted by someone talking to her, and insisted on starting from the beginning. apparently this blessing-giving has been given the same status as saying birkat hamazon. i dunno about all this. i think I'll leave the blessing to parents on Friday night, and the cohanim on yomim tovim