What is a bracha (blessing)?

A bracha (blessing) is a Jewish prayer that acknowledges God as the source of all things. Before eating, we say a bracha to thank God for the food. Different foods require different blessings based on their category: Hamotzi for bread, Mezonot for grain products, Ha'etz for tree fruits, Ha'adamah for vegetables, Shehakol for other foods, and Ha'gafen for wine.

What bracha do you say on bread?

On bread, we say 'Hamotzi lechem min ha'aretz' (Who brings forth bread from the earth). This blessing is said on bread made from wheat, barley, spelt, oats, or rye. When eating a meal with bread, the Hamotzi covers most other foods eaten during that meal, and we conclude with Birkat Hamazon (Grace After Meals).

What is the difference between Mezonot and Hamotzi?

Hamotzi is said on bread that is the main part of a meal. Mezonot is said on grain-based foods that are not bread-like, such as cookies, cake, pasta, and crackers. The distinction depends on factors like how the dough was made, its consistency, and how the food is eaten. When in doubt, consult a rabbi.

What blessing do you say after eating?

After eating bread, we say Birkat Hamazon (Grace After Meals). After eating foods made from the five grains (wheat, barley, spelt, oats, rye), wine, or the seven species of Israel, we say Al Hamichya or its variations. After other foods, we say Borei Nefashot. The bracha acharona is only required if you ate a sufficient amount (k'zayit).

What bracha do you say on water?

On water and most beverages (except wine and grape juice), we say 'Shehakol nihiyeh bidvaro' (that everything was created by His word). This blessing is also said on meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, and foods that don't grow from the ground.

What bracha do you say on fruits and vegetables?

For fruits that grow on trees, we say 'Borei pri ha'etz' (Creator of the fruit of the tree). For vegetables and fruits that grow from the ground (like strawberries, melons, bananas), we say 'Borei pri ha'adamah' (Creator of the fruit of the ground). The key factor is whether the plant has a permanent trunk or stem.

What is the after-bracha for Matzo?

After eating Matzo, you say birchas-hamazon.

How do you say the bracha for Matzo?

The blessing is: "Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, hamotzi lechem min ha'aretz." which means "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.".

Back to all foods

yom tov

What Bracha for Matzo?

Learn the correct blessing before and after eating Matzo

Bracha Before Eating

Hamotzi

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ.

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, hamotzi lechem min ha'aretz.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.

Why This Bracha?

On Passover, matzo takes the bracha of Hamotzi. During the year, regular matzo is Hamotzi if eaten as bread, or Mezonos if eaten as a snack.

Bracha After Eating

birchas-hamazon

(Said after eating a k'zayis - approximately 1 oz)

Related Foods

Honey (Rosh Hashanah)

Shehakol

Apple in Honey

Ha'etz

Sufganiyot (Chanukah Donuts)

Mezonos

Latkes (Potato Pancakes)

Ha'adama

Hamantaschen

Mezonos

Kreplach

Mezonos

Back to all foods

yom tov

What Bracha for Matzo?

Learn the correct blessing before and after eating Matzo

Bracha Before Eating

Hamotzi

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ.

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, hamotzi lechem min ha'aretz.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.

Why This Bracha?

On Passover, matzo takes the bracha of Hamotzi. During the year, regular matzo is Hamotzi if eaten as bread, or Mezonos if eaten as a snack.

Bracha After Eating

birchas-hamazon

(Said after eating a k'zayis - approximately 1 oz)

Related Foods

Honey (Rosh Hashanah)

Shehakol

Apple in Honey

Ha'etz

Sufganiyot (Chanukah Donuts)

Mezonos

Latkes (Potato Pancakes)

Ha'adama

Hamantaschen

Mezonos

Kreplach

Mezonos