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A typical bracha starts (or ends) ברוך אתה ה hich seems to be an individual praise, as you are individually acknowledging that He is your (personal) G-d (As I understand, אדוני means my Lord). Then, after that, we say אלוקינו meaning our G-d.

Why is there a change in language from addressing G-d individually to mentioning G-d in a group (plural) format?

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    Same by Shema Yisrael
    – Gershon Gold
    Jun 15, 2015 at 14:57
  • related judaism.stackexchange.com/q/17010/759
    – Double AA ♦
    Jun 15, 2015 at 16:03
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    I don't see anything about being your personal G-d. You are merely pronouncing Hashem's name.
    – HaLeiVi
    Jun 15, 2015 at 19:07
  • @HaLeiVi has a good point - the "proper" method would have us pronouncing YHVH rather than the "personal" stand-in. Neither here nor the Shema are really a question along those lines. What IS interesting is why they chose that SPECIFIC kinui to use instead of YHVH, rather than something like "HaMakom."
    – Isaac Kotlicky
    Jul 16, 2015 at 16:31
  • The ibn Ezra, in Shemos I think, explains that a name doesn't have a suffix. You don't say ראובנים. Since this is a name of Hashem, personal connotation doesn't apply.
    – HaLeiVi
    Jul 16, 2015 at 20:28

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This answer is my own thoughts, although I would not be surprised if this is mentioned elsewhere.

When we make a Bracha we are building up. First we mention Hashem, then we say אלוקינו - which indicates the God of the Jews, then we say Melech Haolam - which indicates the king of the entire world.

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  • But why do we do that? I think that's the question.
    – Daniel
    Jul 16, 2015 at 14:29
  • If it would be going in that order it would be Malkeinu and then Elokim. A god is more than a king.
    – HaLeiVi
    Jul 16, 2015 at 20:22

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