Texts of Blessings Before Eating

Before partaking of any food, a brachah rishonah (preceding blessing), is said. There are six different blessings, each beginnning with the same words, BA-RUCH A-TAH A-DO-NOI ELO-HAI-NU ME-LECH HA-O-LAM, Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the Universe, and concluding with a few words related to the type of food eaten. Following are the food groups with examples for each group and a transliteration and translation of the Hebrew blessing for each.

1. Hamotzi: The Blessing on Bread

On bread, bagels, challah, matzah, pita and rolls made from any of these five grains: wheat, barley, rye, oat or spelt1:

Round challah is a traditional Rosh Hashanah treat.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְ‑יָ אֱ‑לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ:

BA-RUCH A-TAH A-DO-NOI
ELO-HAI-NU ME-LECH HA-O-LAM
HA-MO-TZI LE-CHEM MIN HA-A-RETZ.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the
Universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.

Read: Hamotzi, the Blessing on Bread.

2. Mezonot: The Blessing on the Five Grains

On cakes, cereals, cookies, cupcakes, doughnuts, and pasta - if made of one or more of the five grains listed under the first blessing:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְ‑יָ אֱ‑לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא מִינֵי מְזוֹנוֹת

BA-RUCH A-TAH A-DO-NOI
ELO-HAI-NU ME-LECH HA-O-LAM
BO-RAI MI-NAI ME-ZO-NOT.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the
Universe, Who creates various kinds of sustenance.

Read: Mezonot, the Blessing on Grains.

3. Hagafen: The Blessing on Wine & Grape Juice

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְ‑יָ אֱ‑לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן

BA-RUCH A-TAH A-DO-NOI
ELO-HAI-NU ME-LECH HA-O-LAM
BO-RAI PRI HA-GA-FEN.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the
Universe, Who creates the fruit of the vine.

Read: Borei Pri Hagafen, the Blessing on Wine and Grape Juice.

4. Ha'etz: The Blessing on Fruits

For all fruits from permanent trees, such as apples, oranges, and peaches, even if these fruits are dried; also grapes, raisins, and all nuts (except peanuts, which are a legume):

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְ‑יָ אֱ‑לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָעֵץ

BA-RUCH A-TAH A-DO-NOI
ELO-HAI-NU ME-LECH HA-O-LAM
BO-RAI PRI HA-AITZ.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the
Universe, Who creates the fruit of the tree.

Read: Borei Pri Ha'etz, the Blessing on Fruits.

5. Ha'adamah: The Blessing on Vegetables

For all vegetables and greens from the ground, peanuts, legumes, and some fruits such as bananas, melons, and pineapples:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְ‑יָ אֱ‑לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה:

BA-RUCH A-TAH A-DO-NOI
ELO-HAI-NU ME-LECH HA-O-LAM
BO-RAI PRI HA-A-DA-MAH.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the
Universe, Who creates the fruit of the earth.

Read: Borei Pri Ha'Adamah, the Blessing on Vegetables.

6. Shehakol: The Blessing on All Other Foods

For candy, dairy, eggs, fish, liquids, meat, mushrooms and everything else not included in the first five blessings above:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְ‑יָ אֱ‑לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהַכֹּל נִהְיָה בִּדְבָרוֹ:

BA-RUCH A-TAH A-DO-NOI
ELO-HAI-NU ME-LECH HA-O-LAM
SHE-HA-KOL NI-H'YAH BI-D'VA-RO.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the
Universe, by Whose word all things came to be.

Read: Shehakol, the Blessing on All Other Foods.

NOTE: The above blessings apply to foods in their basic form; however, the blessings may vary when the form is changed through processing, or when foods are combined. See Combined Foods

Footnotes

Many of these foods, especially bagels, pita and rolls, may require a blessing of mezonot. When the proportion of combined liquids (including eggs, oil, margarine, juice, honey, etc.) is greater than the amount of water, the blessing mezonot is said.

By Chabad.org Staff

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63 Comments

Stephen NH November 21, 2024

I read someplace that if you have a meal with bread the only required blessing is the Ha'motzi regardless what other foods are present on the plate. Is this true? Reply

Simcha Bart for chabad.org November 21, 2024

in response to Stephen:

That's correct, though there are a few exceptions, such as dessert or wine—please see here for further details. Reply

Stephen NH November 21, 2024

in response to Simcha Bart for chabad.org:

Next question, does Matzo qualify as a cracker or as bread? Which blessing is deemed appropriate if one were to eat it as a dessert? Reply

Simcha Bart for chabad.org November 25, 2024

in response to Stephen :

Matzo according to Ashkenazi custom qualifies as bread. There would not be an additional blessing for Matzo then it eaten as a dessert. Reply

Jenny UK May 15, 2024

Is there a blessing for tea or coffee? I see there is one for dairy but is that if it’s food? Many thanks! Reply

Eliezer Zalmanov for Chabad.org May 15, 2024

in response to Jenny :

The blessing for all drinks (other than wine/grape juice) is Shehakol. Reply

Jenny Uk May 17, 2024

in response to Eliezer Zalmanov:

Thankyou :) and do you bless everytime you eat or drink or only once with that food item for the day? Reply

Moshe Goldstein brooklyn May 21, 2024

in response to Jenny:

We recite the blessing before eating/drinking, and then another different blessing when we finish the meal, or aren't planning on continuing for a while. We don't make another blessing for every bite for example. So, it doesn't last for the whole day, just as long as the meal lasts. You can drink a glass of water, recite the after blessing, and then when thirsty again, recite the before-blessing once again.

Hope this clarifies the matter. Reply

David Australia February 1, 2024

What bracha does one say over "prickly pear"? . Prickly pear is a cactus fruit -very tasty when cold especially- it requires special prepation in order to eat it (removal of its spines). Reply

dee s June 27, 2024

in response to David:

Ha'Eitz Reply

Basyah Brooklyn December 28, 2023

Thank You very much. Now I will Now all blessings. I would like to know blessings for watermelon Reply

David Australia February 3, 2024

in response to Basyah:

All melons are Ha'adama. Reply

Aaron December 15, 2023

Hello! Can you please tell me what the blessing over chocolate is? Reply

Chabad.org Staff December 18, 2023

in response to Aaron :

Sure! It is the 'Shehakol nihiya bidvaro' blessing is said on chocolate. Reply

Robert Pepe Centerville November 21, 2023

If you are eating more than one of the categories, do you say them in a certain order? Reply

Eliezer Zalmanov for Chabad.org November 21, 2023

in response to Robert Pepe:

Yes, the way they are listed in the article is the order in which they are said. However, if one eats bread in a meal there is no need to recite any of the other blessings other than on wine. Reply

דוד USA November 14, 2023

What is the proper blessing for vegetables grown indoors in pots. I heard it makes a difference because technically it isn’t in the earth. Reply

Eliezer Zalmanov for Chabad.org November 14, 2023

in response to דוד:

There are different opinions on this issue, as such one should contact their rabbi and follow his guidance. Reply

leslie kinsey Oklahoma city June 12, 2023

When were the blessings on the wine and bread created and instituted? I was told it was during the time of entering Israel because many adults had never seen things grown from seed. Shalom!! Reply

Rabbi Mendel Adelman for Chabad.org June 15, 2023

in response to leslie kinsey:

The Talmud (Berachot 35a) says that it is a rabbinic institution (see Tosafos, Rambam Mishnah Torah Laws of Blessings 1:1).

The text of the blessings was instituted by Ezra and his court (Berachot 33a). However, the idea of making blessings long preceded that. There are Midrashic that describe King David as reciting blessings as well. Reply

Sue August 25, 2022

Today. As one who does not speak Hebrew I appreciate the blessings in English that you provide. I want to learn the many ways in which Jewish celebrate our Lord. Reply

Blake AU September 24, 2021

Todah (thank you).

Fruitful Sabbath.

Kind regards, Reply

Ezra Ashkenazi new york August 4, 2021

What is the beracha on cashews? Reply

Eliezer Zalmanov for Chabad.org August 4, 2021

in response to Ezra Ashkenazi:

The bracha on cashews is Haetz. Reply

ezra August 5, 2021

in response to Eliezer Zalmanov:

cashews are not nuts they are considered sees therfore beracha should be she'hakol Reply

Sarah January 19, 2022

in response to ezra:

no all nuts grow on trees except for the peanut so it would be Haetz and the peanut would be Ha'adamah Reply

Faith USA February 16, 2021

I thought a dot in the middle means the v sound so I’m confused why it’s bid’varo and not vid’baro?? Reply

Debby USA July 14, 2021

in response to Faith :

The dot in the middle ‘closes the mouth’ so B is correct. The v sound does not close the mouth. Reply

Benjamin Levin November 22, 2020

If one has said hamotzi before eating bread do they then need to say borei pri hagafen before drinking wine ? Reply

EK November 25, 2020

in response to Benjamin Levin:

Yes.
See Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Chapter 43:2 in the following link: chabad.org/4297888#v2 Reply

Eliza February 21, 2020

Thanks so much for the opportunity to do something holy and good easy peaceful and true ways that helps people do everyday things at every moment making things that are maybe common or not kosher blessed Reply

Georgia Ontario, Canada June 19, 2019

What would be said if eating grapes, hummus and Melba toast? Thank you for your help! Reply

Rabbi Mendel Adelman for Chabad.org June 20, 2019

in response to Georgia :

Melba toast is an interesting question, as it is eaten as a snack, but is made of bread. The process for making it is that a loaf of bread is baked. The loaf is then sliced into thin slices, and left to sit out for two days. After that, it is toasted. As it was once bread, most opinions hold that it does not lose that status after toasting. So, the correct blessing is Hamotzi.

The blessing of Hamotzi will cover the grapes and hummus as well. If eating grapes or hummus alone, the correct blessing on the grapes is ha'eitz, and shehakol on the hummus (if eaten plain). Reply

Kylie United Kingdom May 12, 2019

Is there a prayer for a whole meal, or would you praise the meat, wine and vegetables separately? Thank you. Reply

Chabad.org Staff May 13, 2019

in response to Kylie:

There is a Grace After Meals which is said if one eats bread products at the meal, and it includes all of the food types. Otherwise there are other prayers recited. See here for more information. Reply

Anonymous new york October 27, 2018

What blessing is made on Spaghetti Bolognese? Reply

Chabad.org Staff October 28, 2018

in response to Anonymous:

Mezonot on the pasta and then shehakol on the meat. Reply

Anonymous September 1, 2018

What Bracha do you make on alcoholic beverages such as vodka and scotch? Reply

Chabad.org Staff October 13, 2018

in response to Anonymous:

Shehakol Reply

Anonymous Oregon November 15, 2017

If we do not say hamotsi, we say any of the other ones, is there a bracha after we eat that we must say or no? Reply

Anonymous May 16, 2018

in response to Anonymous:

I believe that if you say mezonot then it covers everything but I'm not positive Reply

Rabbi Mendel Adelman for Chabad.org June 14, 2018

in response to Anonymous:

There are prescribed blessings that must be said after eating all foods, not just hamotzi.

On mezonot foods, we recite an al hamichya blessing. On all other foods, with the exception of the seven fruits of Israel and wine, we say a borei nefashot blessing.

See Jewish laws of blessings after eating.

The blessing of hamotzi is unique in that it covers all other foods, with the exception wine.

Mezonot does not have that quality. After saying that blessing, you still have to make blessing on fruits, vegetables, and other foods. Reply

Anonymous San Antonio August 11, 2017

What is the bracha on water though? Reply

Chana Benjaminson August 27, 2017

in response to Anonymous:

The bracha on water is Shehakol, the last bracha listed above. Reply

aaron San Antonio September 5, 2017

in response to Chana Benjaminson:

Toda. I don't know how i missed it. Reply

Texts of Blessings Before Eating

In this article:

1. Hamotzi: The Blessing on Bread

2. Mezonot: The Blessing on the Five Grains

3. Hagafen: The Blessing on Wine & Grape Juice

4. Ha'etz: The Blessing on Fruits

5. Ha'adamah: The Blessing on Vegetables

6. Shehakol: The Blessing on All Other Foods

More in this section

Join the Discussion

In this article:

1. Hamotzi: The Blessing on Bread

2. Mezonot: The Blessing on the Five Grains

3. Hagafen: The Blessing on Wine & Grape Juice

4. Ha'etz: The Blessing on Fruits

5. Ha'adamah: The Blessing on Vegetables

6. Shehakol: The Blessing on All Other Foods

More in this section

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Join the Discussion