Introduction to Blessings before Eating

If someone receives a number of gifts from the same person, it is only right to thank the giver for each gift separately. A collective thank-you would show a certain lack of appreciation for the specific gifts. Similarly, when we thank God, our thanks should be specific. This is why the Sages composed different blessings for each type of food. If we want to eat a variety of foods that have different blessings, we must recite the appropriate blessing on each item.

Six blessings are recited on various types of food and drink:

1. The blessing on bread is “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who brings forth (Ha-motzi) bread from the earth” (section 7 below).
2. The blessing on cakes and cooked grain products is “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who creates the various kinds of nourishment (Mezonot)” (section 10 below).
3. The blessing on wine is “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the vine (Ha-gefen)” (section 11 below).
4. The blessing on fruits (such as grapes, pomegranates, and almonds) is “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the tree (Ha-etz).”
5. The blessing on vegetables (such as corn, tomatoes, lentils, and melons) is “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the ground (Ha-adama).”
6. The blessing on other foods and drinks, which do not grow from the ground (such as meat, milk, eggs, and water), is “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, by Whose words all things (She-hakol) came to be.” This blessing is also made on fruits or vegetables which have been liquefied (such as apple juice) or heavily processed so they are unrecognizable (such as soy burgers and chocolate).