551. Brachos on Obligatory and Voluntary Mitzvos

Brachos 11:1

All brachos start with “Baruch” and conclude with “Baruch” (i.e., a phrase that begins with “Baruch”) except for the brachos after reciting the Shema, brachos that appear in a chain of successive brachos, brachos over fruit and similar, brachos over the performance of mitzvos, and the aforementioned brachos that are expressions of praise and thanks. Some of these exceptions start with “Baruch” and do not end with “Baruch,” while others end with “Baruch” but do not start with “Baruch.” There are also exceptions to the exceptions. For example, a few blessings over mitzvos start and end with “Baruch,” such as the bracha when called to the Torah. The same is true of some brachos of praise, such as the bracha recited upon seeing Jewish graves.

Brachos 11:2

There are some positive mitzvos that a person is required to attempt to perform until he is successful, such as tefillin, succah, lulav and shofar. These are called obligations because one must perform them. Some other mitzvos are not obligations, but are somewhat voluntary in nature. Examples of these include mezuzah and installing a guardrail on one’s roof. One is not required to live in a house that requires a mezuzah just to perform this mitzvah; one could choose to live in a tent or on a boat for his entire life. Similarly, one does not have to build a house just to perform the mitzvah of installing a guardrail. A bracha is recited before performing all positive mitzvos that are between a person and God, whether they are obligations or only apply in voluntary situations.