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A blessing (from to bless, Old English bleodsian or bletsian) originally meant "sprinkling with blood" during the pagan sacrifices, the Blóts (reference: AHD).
A blessing, (also used to refer to bestowing of such) is the infusion of something with holiness, divine will, or one's hopes. Within Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and similar traditions, formal blessings of the church are performed by bishops, priests, and sometimes deacons, but as in many other religions, anyone may formally bless another.
A curse, at least in its most formal sense, is the opposite of a blessing.
In the Bible, blessings and curses are related; the book of Deuteronomy prescribes that obedience to the Torah brings God's blessing, while disobedience brings a curse. A formula for priestly blessing is set forth at Numbers 6:24-26:
- The LORD bless thee, and keep thee;
- The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee;
- The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. (KJV)
This formula has been introduced into Christian worship as well. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus pronounces blessings on the poor, the humble, and the persecuted in the Beatitudes at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.
Blessing can also be a request for permission, as in "gaining your parents blessing" would consist of having been granted consent.
In Spanish, there is a blessing which can be used as a tender farewell, especially from a parent: Vaya con Dios (Go with God).
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