Before partaking of any food, abrachah 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. On bread, bagels, challah, matzah, pita and rolls made from any of these five grains: wheat, barley, rye, oat or spelt1:
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.
2. On cakes, cereals, cookies, cupcakes, doughnuts, and pasta - if made of one or more of the five grains listed under the first blessing:
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.
3. On wine and grape juice:
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.
4. 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):
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.
5. For all vegetables and greens from the ground, peanuts, legumes, and some fruits such as bananas, melons, and pineapples:
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.
6. For candy, dairy, eggs, fish, liquids, meat, mushrooms and everything else not included in the first five blessings above:
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.
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
1.
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.
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