The Talmudic Chronicle (Berakhot 48b)
"Moses instituted for Israel the blessing Hazān when the manna descended for them; Joshua instituted the blessing of the Land (Birkat Ha’aretz) when they entered the Land; David and Solomon instituted Boneh Yerushalayim; and the Sages of Yavneh instituted HaTov VeHaMeitiv on the martyrs of Beitar."
1. Birkat Hazan • בִּרְכַּת הַזָּן
Composed by MosesThe first blessing praises the Almighty as the sustainer of all flesh, providing food to every living creature in kindness and compassion. Moses formulated this blessing in the Sinai desert when the miraculous Manna fell from heaven daily.
2. Birkat Ha’aretz • בִּרְכַּת הָאָרֶץ
Composed by JoshuaThe second blessing offers thanksgiving for the covenant of the Promised Land, the Exodus from Egyptian servitude, the sacred covenant of circumcision (*Brit Milah*), and the gift of the Torah. Joshua instituted this prayer when the children of Israel crossed the Jordan River and ate from the Land's harvest.
3. Boneh Yerushalayim • בּוֹנֵה יְרוּשָׁלָיִם
Composed by David & SolomonThe third blessing petitions for divine compassion upon the people of Israel, the city of Jerusalem, Mount Zion, the royal dynasty of David, and the Holy Temple. King David authored the supplications for Jerusalem, and King Solomon added the prayers for the Temple sanctuary (*Beit HaBechirah*).
4. HaTov VeHaMeitiv • הַטּוֹב וְהַמֵּטִיב
Composed by the Sages of YavnehThe fourth blessing was instituted in 135 CE following the Bar Kokhba revolt. When Roman authorities finally permitted the burial of the thousands slain at the fortress of Beitar, the bodies miraculously had not decomposed. The Rabbis codified this blessing praising God who is good (*HaTov*—they did not rot) and does good (*HaMeitiv*—they were granted burial).