BENEDICTION, in a general sense, the act of blessing, or giving praise to God, or returning thanks for his favours. Hence also benediction is still applied to the act of saying grace before or after meals. Neither the ancient Jews nor Christians ever ate without a short prayer. The Jews are obliged to rehearse 100 benedictions per day; of which 80 are to be spoken in the morning. The first treatise of the first order in the Talmud, entitled Seraim, contains the form and order of the daily benedictions. It was usual to give benediction to travellers on their taking leave; a practice which is still preserved among the monks. Benedictions were likewise given among the ancient Jews, as well as Christians, by imposition of hands. And when at length the primitive simplicity of the Christian worship began to give way to ceremony, they added the sign of the cross, which was made with the same hand, as before, only elevated, or extended. Hence benediction, in the modern Romish church, is used, in a more particular manner, to denote the sign of the cross made by a bishop, or prelate, as conferring some grace on the people. The custom of receiving benediction, by bowing the head before the bishops, is very ancient; and was so universal, that emperors themselves did not decline this mark of submission. Under the name benediction, the Hebrews also frequently understand the presents which friends make to one another, in all probabilities because they are generally attended with blessings and compliments, both from those who give and those who receive them.