Prayer and Blessings
Daily prayers, blessings over food, scents, and Asher Yatzar — the spoken framework of an observant Jewish day.
From the verse 'And you shall eat and be satisfied and bless the Lord your God...', which Torah verse teaches the mitzvah to bless after eating?
And you shall eat and be satisfied and bless the Lord your God for the good land He has given you.
Birkat HaMazon, what blessing is said before bread? And after?
Before: HaMotzi, after; Birkat HaMazon (Grace After Meals).
What blessing is said before cake? And after?
Before: Mezonot, after; Me'ein Shalosh (Al HaMichya).
What blessing is said before water? And after?
Before: Shehakol, after; Borei Nefashot.
What blessing is said before cola? And after?
Before: Shehakol, after; Borei Nefashot.
What blessing is said before olives? And after?
Before: Pri Ha'Etz, after; Me'ein Shalosh.
What blessing is said before pears? And after?
Before: Pri Ha'Etz, after; Borei Nefashot.
What blessing is said before tomatoes? And after?
Before: Pri Ha'Adama, after; Borei Nefashot.
What blessing is said before banana? And after?
Before: Pri Ha'Adama, after; Borei Nefashot.
What blessing is said before milk? And after?
Before: Shehakol, after; Borei Nefashot.
What blessing is said before rice? And after?
Before: Mezonot, after; Borei Nefashot.
What blessing is said before chocolate? And after?
Before: Shehakol, after; Borei Nefashot.
What blessing is said before wine? And after?
Before: Pri HaGafen, after; Me'ein Shalosh.
Why is there a special blessing for wine?
Because of its importance: like bread, a special blessing was established for it.
When do we say Me'ein Shalosh?
After eating mezonot foods, wine, or fruits of the Seven Species.
Why is this blessing called Me'ein Shalosh (a summary of three)?
Because it is a summary of the three blessings found in the Torah's Birkat HaMazon.
When do we say Birkat HaMazon?
After eating bread, pita, etc., in an amount of at least a 'kezayit' (28 grams).
When do we say the Shehakol blessing?
On food that doesn't grow from the ground, such as beef, poultry, fish, and also eggs, milk, and cheese.
When do we say Borei Nefashot?
After eating anything whose initial blessing is Shehakol, Pri Ha'Adama, or Pri Ha'Etz (except Seven Species fruits).
When do we say Shehecheyanu?
On holidays, seasonal mitzvot, new seasonal fruits, new items, seeing a friend after a long time, and hearing good news.
What are the Seven Species?
Wheat, barley, grape, fig, pomegranate, olive, and date, fruits for which the Land of Israel is praised.
What blessings are said before and after Seven Species fruits?
Before: Pri Ha'Etz, after; Me'ein Shalosh.
What is the order of blessings said before food?
HaMotzi, Mezonot, Pri HaGafen, Pri Ha'Etz, Pri Ha'Adama, Shehakol.
When saying HaMotzi over bread at a meal, do you need to bless other foods?
No, HaMotzi covers all other foods during the meal except wine and dessert.
When do we wash hands before eating? And what blessing is said?
Before eating bread or anything whose blessing is HaMotzi.
What blessing is said for a pleasant scent from a tree or bush?
Borei Atzei Besamim (Creator of fragrant trees).
What blessing is said for a pleasant scent from an herb (annual plant)?
Borei Isvei Besamim (Creator of fragrant herbs).
What blessing is said for a scent not from a tree or herb, e.g. perfume?
Borei Minei Besamim (Creator of various spices).
If I'm unsure of the source of a pleasant scent, what should I bless?
Borei Minei Besamim (the general blessing for fragrances).
Is there a concluding blessing for a scent?
No concluding blessing, only the initial one.
What is the Asher Yatzar blessing?
A blessing said after using the restroom: 'Blessed are You...
What is Shema Yisrael?
The central verse of Jewish faith: 'Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One', a declaration of God's unity.
When is Shema Yisrael recited?
Twice a day: morning and evening, and also before sleep.
What is the first thing said upon waking up in the morning?
Modeh Ani...
How are hands washed in the morning?
3 times on each hand alternately.
How many prayers are there on a weekday?
3: Shacharit (morning), Mincha (afternoon), and Arvit (evening).
How many prayers are women obligated to pray?
1 per day (some have the custom of 2).
How many prayers are men obligated to pray?
3.
What blessing is said when wrapping in a tallit?
'Blessed...
What is the Shemoneh Esreh (Amidah) prayer?
The central prayer recited three times a day, composed of 19 blessings (originally 18).
What is a minyan and why is it important?
A minyan is 10 Jewish men over age 13.