Today’s expression, ‘be•ez•rat ha•Shem,’ sounds similar to ‘ba•ruch ha•Shem’, but it has a different meaning and use. Literally, it means ‘with God’s help.’ It is said when we say something that includes a wish, expectation or any projection to the future. For example, someone may say: “my daughter will graduate medical school next year ‘be•ez•rat ha•Shem’” Another example: “‘be•ez•rat haShem’ we’ll come to visit you next week.”
Among many Israelis and Jews in other parts of the world (mainly orthodox or religious people), this expression is also abbreviated with the first letter of each word as B”H (‘Bet’ and ‘Hey’ in Hebrew). This acronym appears at the top line of every text in any context, whether it is written, printed, painted or embossed. This is done to show reverence to God by reminding the reader that anything written below can only happen with the help of God.
There is another expression and abbreviation with the same meaning, but it abbreviates the Aramaic expression: ‘Be•si•ya•ta Di•shma•ya’ (with the help of Heaven).
Obviously, ‘With the help of Heaven’ is another way to say: ‘With the help of God.’ The acronym BS”D (written in Hebrew: סב”ד’ – Bet,’ ‘Samech’ and ‘Dalet’) has become a Jewish term amongst several orthodox religious denominations, added at the top of every written document (beginnings of correspondences, letters, notes, etc.) as a reminder to them that all comes from God, including the following content and to contextualize what’s really important in the text, that without God’s help we can do nothing successfully. BS”D is not derived from any religious law, but it’s considered an old, accepted tradition.
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