Jewish Prayers: Brachot (Blessings) Before Eating
Special Brachot - benedictions - are traditionally said in Hebrew before eating any food or drinking any beverage.
- Brachot Transliteration & Translation
- General Rules for the First Bracha
- General Rules for the Order of the Brachot
- General Rules for the After Bracha
- The Brachot Guide
Brachot Transliteration & Translation
Each benediction begins baruch atah adonai elokeinu melech haolam (Blessed Are You G-d, our Lord, King of the World).
The endings depend specifically on what is to be eaten or drunk:For Bread: "... Hamotzie lechem myn ha'aretz." (Who brings forth bread from the ground)
For Wine & Grape juice: "...Boreiy pree hagafen" (Who creates the fruit of the vine)
For Most Desserts: "...Boreiy minei mezonot" (Who creates various types of foods)
For Fruits: "...Boreiy pree ha'etz" (Who creates the fruit of the trees)
For Vegetables: "...Boreiy pree ha'adamah" (Who creates the fruits of the ground)
For Drinks, Meat, Fish, Cheese: "...Shehakol Nihyah bidvaro" (Everything was created through His words)
General Rules for the First Bracha
- One must say a Bracha on ANY amount of food.
- You should see the food before reciting the Bracha, e.g. if one wants to eat a cashew, you first open up the shell and see if its fit for a Bracha (no worms etc.).
- You should hold the food/drink in your right hand, or left hand if you are a lefty.
- One must be very careful not to mention G-D's name in vain. Before you start saying the Bracha, you should know which Bracha is the appropriate one.
- No food or drink should be in your mouth while reciting a Bracha.
- Between the Bracha and eating you must not talk or even wait any amount of time, but eat or drink the food right away.
- If you forgot to say a Bracha before eating, as long as you still have some food left you still have to say the Bracha.
General Rules for the Order of the Brachot
These are the order of the Brachot in general:
- Hamotzie - on bread
- Mezonot - on cakes
- Hagefen - on wine
- Haetz - on fruits
- Haadama - on vegetables
- Shehakol - on drinks etc.
Chaviv (Most Desired): When one has in front of him different types of foods but all are the same bracha - e.g. candy, soda etc - you should say the bracha on the one you desire most, that is meaning of 'Chaviv'.
Fruits of Israel: Hashem has blessed Israel with seven (7) fruits as it says: "A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey (dates)".
- Therefore when one has different types of fruits that he wants to eat (e.g. apples and figs), the fruit of the 7 species are first.
- If however the fruit which is not of the 7 species, is Chaviv [meaning - he likes it more] then he may say a Bracha on any one he wants.
General Rules for the After Bracha
In order to be obligated to recite the Bracha Achrona (Post-Meal Benediction), two things must be taken into consideration:
- Amount of Food Eaten; and,
- Time Taken to Eat
Amount:
For Food: For bread, cakes (Hamotzi & Mezonot) you must eat a 'Kazayit' (an Olive) in weight which comes to be 17.3 grams (0.61 ounces).
For Drinks: For drinks, you must drink a "Revee'it", 86 grams (2.9 fluid ounces)Time:
The time is the same wether its food or drink. In order to be required to say the After Benediction you must eat or drink the required amount (see above) within 'Kedei Achilat Pras', a period of around 4 minutes.For example, drinking a hot cup of cocoa, since usually you would sip it you wouldn't drink the required amount within the required amount of time (4 minutes). The best way to get out of any questions would be to drink something else like milk, or to save some of the cocoa/coffee till it gets cool enough to drink the required amount in the required time.
The Brachot Guide
{ A-B } { C-D-E } { F-G-H } { I-J-K-L } { M-N-O-P } { R-S-T-U-W-Y-Z }
Food First Bracha After Bracha Alcoholic Beverages
(except wine)She'hakol Boray Nefashot Ale She'hakol Boray Nefashot Almonds (nut) Ha'etz Boray Nefashot Apple
- baked
- cake
- cider
- jelly (without pieces)
- juice
- preserves (with pieces)
- sauce
- strudel
Ha'etz
Ha'etz
Mezonot
She'hakol
She'hakol
She'hakol
Ha'etz
Ha'etz
MezonotBoray Nefashot
Boray Nefashot
Al Hamichyah
Boray Nefashot
Boray Nefashot
Boray Nefashot
Boray Nefashot
Boray Nefashot
Al HamichyahApricot Ha'etz Boray Nefashot Asparagus Ho'adama Boray Nefashot Aspirin None 1 None Bagels Hamotzi Birkat Hamazon Baked Beans Ho'adama Boray Nefashot Banana Ho'adama She'hakol Beans (soup) Ho'adama Boray Nefashot Beef She'hakol Boray Nefashot Beer She'hakol Boray Nefashot Blackberries Ha'etz Boray Nefashot Bologna She'hakol Boray Nefashot Bologna Sandwich Hamotzi Birkat Hamazon Brandy She'hakol Boray Nefashot Bread Hamotzi Birkat Hamazon Bread Stuffing Mezonot Al Hamichyah Broccoli Ho'adama Boray Nefashot Brownies Mezonot Al Hamichyah Butter Milk She'hakol Boray Nefashot Butter Cookies Mezonot Al Hamichyah
Food First Bracha After Bracha Cabbage
cooked/coleslaw/soupHo'adama Boray Nefashot Cake - all types Mezonot Al Hamichyah Candy She'hakol NONE 1 Cantaloupe Ho'adama Boray Nefashot Carbonated Water/Soda She'hakol Boray Nefashot Carp She'hakol Boray Nefashot Carrots raw/cooked Ho'adama Boray Nefashot Cashew nuts Ha'etz Boray Nefashot Cauliflower Ho'adama Boray Nefashot Celery Ho'adama Boray Nefashot Cereals 2
- All Bran
- Alpha Bits
- Cheerios
- Corn Chex
- Corn Flakes
- Honeycomb
- Oat Cereal
- Raisin Bran
- Rice Crispies
Mezonot
Mezonot
Mezonot
She'hakol
Ho'adamah
Mezonot
Mezonot
Mezonot
She'hakol
Al Hamichyah
Al Hamichyah
Boray Nefashot
Boray Nefashot
Al Hamichyah
Al Hamichyah
Al Hamichyah
Boray Nefashot
Boray NefashotChampagne Hagefen Al Hagefen Cheese
- Blintzes
- Cake
- Sandwich
Shehakol
Mezonot
Mezonot
HamotziBoray Nefashot
Al Hamichyah
Al Hamichyah
Birkat HamazonCherry Ha'etz Boray Nefashot Chestnuts Ha'etz Boray Nefashot Chick Peas Ho'adamah Boray Nefashot Chicken Shehakol Boray Nefashot Chicken Soup
- without lokshen
- with lokshen 3
Shehakol
Mezonot &
Shehakol
Al Hamichyah &
Boray NefashotChocolate
- Bar with Nuts
- Chocolate covered Peanuts
- Chocolate covered Raisins
- Eclair
- Fudge
- Ice cream
- Drink
Shehakol
Shehakol
Ho'adamah 4
Ha'etz 5
Mezonot
Shehakol
Shehakol
ShehakolBoray Nefashot
Boray Nefashot
Boray Nefashot
Boray Nefashot
Al Hamichyah
Boray Nefashot
Boray Nefashot
Boray Nefashot
Coconut Ha'etz Boray Nefashot Coffee Shehakol Boray Nefashot 6 Coleslaw (Sour kraut) Ho'adamah Boray Nefashot Cookies Mezonot Al Hamichyah Corn
- On the Cob
- Bread
- Soup
- Chips
Ho'adamah
Hamotzi
Ho'adamah
Ho'adamah
Boray Nefashot
Birkat Hamazon
Boray Nefashot
Boray NefashotCotton Candy Shehakol Boray Nefashot Crackers Mezonot Al Hamichyah Cranberry
Juice/SauceHa'etz
ShehakolBoray Nefashot
Boray NefashotCucumber Ho'adamah Boray Nefashot Cupcakes Mezonot Al Hamichyah Custard Shehakol Boray Nefashot Dates Ha'etz Al Ha'etz Doughnut Mezonot Al Hamichyah Eclair Mezonot Al Hamichyah Egg Shehakol Boray Nefashot Eggplant Ho'adamah Boray Nefashot Etrog Ha'etz Boray Nefashot
Food First Bracha After Bracha Falafel w/ Pita Hamotzi Birkat Hamazon Falafel w/o Pita Shehakol Boray Nefashot Farfel (cooked) Mezonot Al Hamichyah Figs Ha'etz Al Ha'etz Fish
- Breaded
- Cakes
- Gefilte
- Sticks
Shehakol
Shehakol
Shehakol
Shehakol
ShehakolBoray Nefashot
Boray Nefashot
Boray Nefashot
Boray Nefashot
Boray NefashotFrankfurter
- in a BunShehakol
HamotziBoray Nefashot
Birkat HamazonFrench Bread/Toast Hamotzi Birkat Hamazon Fruit Cocktail/Soup -
if majority of fruits
are from a tree
are from the ground
Ha'etz
Ha'adamah
Boray Nefashot
Boray NefashotFruit roll Shehakol Boray Nefashot Garlic Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Gefilta Fish Shehakol Boray Nefashot Gelatine type desert Shehakol Boray Nefashot Ginger (raw, dried, candied)
- Ale
- Bread
CookiesHa'adamah
Shehakol
Hamotzi
MezonotBoray Nefashot
Boray Nefashot
Birkat Hamazon
Al HamichyahGraham Crackers Mezonot Al Hamichyah Grapes Ha'etz Al Ha'etz Grape Juice HaGafen Al HaGafen Grapefruit
JuiceHa'etz
ShehakolBoray Nefashot
Boray NefashotGreen Beans Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Green Peas Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Green Vegetables Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Gum Shehakol NONE Halvah Shehakol Boray Nefashot Hamburger Shehakol Boray Nefashot Hazel nut Ha'etz Boray Nefashot Herring Shehakol Boray Nefashot Honey Shehakol Boray Nefashot Honey Cake Mezonot Al Hamichyah Hot Dogs Shehakol Boray Nefashot
Food First Bracha After Bracha Ices Shehakol Boray Nefashot Ice Cream
- with cone
- cake
- Sundae
- (if contains pieces of fruit)
Shehakol
Shehakol (& Mezonot) 1
Shehakol & Mezonot
Shehakol & Ha'etzBoray Nefashot
Boray Nefashot
Al Hamichyah
Boray NefashotIced coffee/Tea Shehakol Boray Nefashot Italian Bread Hamotzi Birkat Hamazon Jam (without pieces) Shehakol Boray Nefashot Jam (with pieces) Make proper Brochoh
according to type
of jam.Boray Nefashot Jellies Shehakol Boray Nefashot Juices
- Tomato Juice
- Grape Juice
- Other Juices
- (without pieces)
Ha'adamah
Hagefen
Shehakol
Boray Nefashot
Al Hagefen
Boray Nefashot
Kashe (Buckwheat)
if kernels whole
if kernels crushed
Ha'adamah
Shehakol
Boray Nefashot
Boray NefashotKashe Varneshkas Mezonot Al Hamichyah Kishke Mezonot Al Hamichyah Kneidelach Mezonot Al Hamichyah Knishes Mezonot Al Hamichyah Kreplach Mezonot Al Hamichyah Kugel
- Challah
- Lokshen
- Potato
- Rice
Hamotzi
Mezonot
Shehakol
Shehakol
Birkat Hamazon
Al Hamichyah
Boray Nefashot
Boray NefashotLasagna Mezonot Al Hamichyah Lemon (raw - if edible) Shehakol Boray Nefashot Lemonade Shehakol Boray Nefashot Lemon Meringue Pie Mezonot Al Hamichyah Lentil /Soup Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Lettuce Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Licorice Candy/Sticks Shehakol Boray Nefashot Liqueur Shehakol Boray Nefashot Lokshen Mezonot Al Hamichyah Lollipops Shehakol NONE 2
Food First Bracha After Bracha Macaroni /& cheese Mezonot Al Hamichyah Macaroons Shehakol Boray Nefashot Marshmallows Shehakol Boray Nefashot Marzipan Shehakol Boray Nefashot Mashed Potatoes Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Matzo Hamotzi Birkat Hamazon Matzo Balls Mezonot Al Hamichyah Matzo Brei/Farfel/Meal Hamotzi Birkat Hamazon Meat- Balls/Loaf Shehakol Boray Nefashot Medicines NONE 1 NONE Melons Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Milk /Milk shake Shehakol Boray Nefashot Mints Shehakol Boray Nefashot Mushrooms /Soup Shehakol Boray Nefashot Nectarine Ha'etz Boray Nefashot Napoleon Mezonot Al Hamichyah Noodles Mezonot Al Hamichyah Noodle - Vegetable Soup
see what was written in
regards to
'soup with noodles.'
Oatmeal Mezonot Al Hamichyah Olives (ripe - prepared) Ha'etz Al Ha'etz Onions (raw)
- Bread
- Crackers
- Rings
- Soup
Ha'adamah
Hamotzi
Mezonot
Ha'adamah
Ha'adamahBoray Nefashot
Birkat Hamazon
Al Hamichyah
Boray Nefashot
Boray NefashotOranges Ha'etz Boray Nefashot Orange Peels (candied) Shehakol Boray Nefashot Pancakes Mezonot Al Hamichyah Pastrami Shehakol Boray Nefashot Pastry Mezonot Al Hamichyah Peaches Ha'etz Boray Nefashot Peanuts Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Peanut Butter - Chunky Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Peanut Butter - Creamy Shehakol Boray Nefashot Pears Ha'etz Boray Nefashot peas Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Pecan Nuts Ha'etz Boray Nefashot Pickle Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Pineapple Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Pistachio Nuts Ha'etz Boray Nefashot Pizza
(depending on how
the dough was made)Mezonot Al Hamichyah Plums Ha'etz Boray Nefashot Pomegranates Ha'etz Al Ha'etz Popcorn Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Potatoes -
chips, cooked, instant,
kugel, latkes, mashed, fried
(if any of the above
is made from
"powdered potatos")Ha'adamah
(Shehakol)Boray Nefashot Pretzels Mezonot Al Hamichyah Prunes Ha'etz Boray Nefashot Prune Juice Shehakol Boray Nefashot Pudding Shehakol Boray Nefashot
Food First Bracha After Bracha Radishes Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Raisins Ha'etz Al Ha'etz Raisin Bran Flakes Mezonot Al Hamichyah Raisin Cake Mezonot Al Hamichyah Raisin Wine HaGafen Al HaGafen Raspberries Ha'etz Boray Nefashot Rhubarb (cooked) Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Rice -
cakes, chex, crispies, kugelShehakol Boray Nefashot Salami Shehakol Boray Nefashot Salmon -
croquettes, loaf, pattiesShehakol Boray Nefashot Sardine Shehakol Boray Nefashot Scallions Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Schav Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Scotch Shehakol Boray Nefashot Seltzer Shehakol Boray Nefashot Slurpees Shehakol Boray Nefashot Soda Shehakol Boray Nefashot Sour Cream Shehakol Boray Nefashot Sour Kraut Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Spaghetti Mezonot Al Hamichyah Spaghetti & Meatballs Mezonot & Shehakol Al Hamichyah Spinach Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Strawberries Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot String Beans Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Stuffed
Cabbage/Peppers
(with meat)Shehakol Boray Nefashot Sugar Shehakol Boray Nefashot Sweet Potatoes Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Sunflower Seeds Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Syrup Shehakol Boray Nefashot Taco Shells Shehakol Boray Nefashot Taffy Shehakol Boray Nefashot Tangerine Ha'etz Boray Nefashot Tarts Mezonot Al Hamichyah Tea Shehakol Boray Nefashot Tomato Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Tomato Juice Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Tomato Soup Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Tuna Fish Cassarole Mezonot Al Hamichyah Tuna Fish /Salad Shehakol Boray Nefashot Turkey Shehakol Boray Nefashot Turnips Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Veal / Cutlets Shehakol Boray Nefashot Vegetables /Salad, Soup Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Vitamins Shehakol 1 Waffles Mezonot Al Hamichyah Walnuts Ha'etz Boray Nefashot Water (if drunk for thirst) Shehakol Boray Nefashot Watermelon Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Wheat Germ - Cooked Mezonot Al Hamichyah Wheat Germ - Toasted Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot Wheaties Mezonot Al Hamichyah Whiskey Shehakol Boray Nefashot Whipped Topping Shehakol Boray Nefashot Wine (grape & raisin) Hagafen Al Hagefen Yogurt Shehakol Boray Nefashot Zucchini Ha'adamah Boray Nefashot
Notes:
*1- Vitamins - Since vitamins are not eaten in large enough quantity a Bracha Achronah is not said. If the vitamin was taken together with juice, then a Bracha Achronah is said over the juice.
Sources: Torah.Net