When to Say Which Blessing: Quick Reference Guide to Brachot

Jewish blessings (brachot) are formulas of praise and thanks to God. Most begin with 'Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech HaOlam' (Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe). Blessings are categorized into three types: blessings over food, blessings over commandments (mitzvot), and blessings of praise and thanks. This guide focuses on the most commonly needed blessings.

HaMotzi (bread): For bread made from wheat, barley, spelt, oats, or rye. This blessing covers everything eaten during the meal. Mezonot: For baked goods and cereals made from the five grains (not bread), like cake, cookies, pasta, and cereal. HaGefen: For wine and grape juice. Ha'Etz: For fruits that grow on trees (apples, oranges, grapes eaten as fruit). Ha'Adamah: For vegetables and fruits that grow from the ground (carrots, bananas, pineapple). Shehakol: For everything else - meat, fish, eggs, dairy, water, candy, and foods that don't grow from the ground.

Birkat HaMazon: The full grace after meals, recited after eating bread. Al HaMichya (Me'ein Shalosh): After eating foods made from the five grains (mezonot), wine/grape juice, or the seven species of Israel (grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, dates). Borei Nefashot: After eating anything that doesn't require Birkat HaMazon or Al HaMichya - including fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and drinks other than wine.

Mixed foods: When eating foods requiring different blessings, say the blessing for the main ingredient or most significant component. Fruit juice: Say Shehakol (not Ha'Etz) because the fruit has been transformed. Bananas and pineapples: Say Ha'Adamah because the plant doesn't survive to produce fruit the next year. Potato chips and french fries: Say Ha'Adamah because they remain recognizably potato. Soup with vegetables: Say Shehakol for the broth if drinking it, Ha'Adamah if eating the vegetables.

Upon waking: Modeh Ani (thanks for restoring the soul) - no 'Baruch' because hands haven't been washed. After washing hands in the morning: Al Netilat Yadayim. After using the restroom: Asher Yatzar (for the proper functioning of the body). Before Torah study: Birchot HaTorah (blessings over the Torah). When seeing lightning: Oseh Ma'aseh Vereishit (Who performs acts of creation). When hearing thunder: SheKocho U'Gvurato Malei Olam (Whose power fills the world).

Shehecheyanu: Said for new experiences - new fruit of the season, new clothes, holidays, and special occasions. 'Who has kept us alive and sustained us and brought us to this time.' HaTov VeHaMeitiv: Said for good news that benefits others as well as oneself. Dayan HaEmet: Said upon hearing of a death - 'the true Judge.' Tefilat HaDerech: The traveler's prayer, said when embarking on a journey outside the city.

BREAD → HaMotzi → Birkat HaMazon CAKE/COOKIES → Mezonot → Al HaMichya WINE → HaGefen → Al HaGefen APPLES, ORANGES → Ha'Etz → Borei Nefashot VEGETABLES → Ha'Adamah → Borei Nefashot MEAT, EGGS, WATER → Shehakol → Borei Nefashot GRAPES, DATES, FIGS → Ha'Etz → Al HaEtz (special ending)

Think about where the food comes from: Tree = Ha'Etz, Ground = Ha'Adamah, Everything else = Shehakol. For the five grains (wheat, barley, spelt, oats, rye): Bread gets HaMotzi, other baked goods get Mezonot. Wine and grape juice always get HaGefen. When in doubt, Shehakol covers everything. The Am Hazak app includes a blessing lookup feature to help you find the right blessing quickly.