Birkat HaMazon: Grace After Meals
Informative Articles & Videos
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Introduction to the Grace After Meals
This thorough and informative article explains the structure, content, and development of the Grace After Meals, as well as some
Women and Zimmun
This two page article by Jennifer Breger summarizes the complicated subject of a women’s participation in a “Zimmun,” (literally, “invitation”)
A Brief Introduction to the Grace After Meals
This short post offers a basic overview of the Grace After Meals, including its biblical sources, an explanation of its
Why Say Bircat Hamazon? A Halachic and Spiritual Approach from Maimonides
In this ten-minute video featured on Chabad.org, Rabbi Mendel Kaplan discusses the halachic and spiritual significance of the Grace After
“Benching” 101: The Origin, Stucture, Customs and History of the Grace After Meals
This comprehensive introductory article by Kate Palley provides a thorough explanation for people of all knowledge levels on the origin, structure, customs, and history
An Esoteric, Historical and Halachic Analysis of the Grace After Meals
This 46 minute lecture from Chabad.org is an in-depth exploration of some esoteric, historical and halachic ideas around the Grace After
OneTable Shabbat Dinner Guide
Created by OneTable, a grassroots organization whose goal it is to help people enjoy Shabbat dinners together, the guide (39 pages) to
A Historical Approach to the Composition and Structure of the Grace After Meals
This thorough article by Rabbi Yizchak Etshalom outlines the structure of the Grace After Meals, explaining how the Biblical command to
Rav Kook: Blessings Over Bread and Torah
This excerpt, written by Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook, explores the dual benefits we gain from both eating and studying Torah,
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Customs
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A Reform Summer Camp’s Abbreviated Grace After Meals with Hand Motions
This almost 3 minute video from URJ Camp Kalsman demonstrates how the campers and staff at this Reform camp recite
Abbreviated Grace After Meals: The Four Blessings
This post includes the Hebrew text of the abbreviated version of the Grace After Meals, along with a printable PDF
Nusach Ari Grace After Meals (Audio & Hebrew text)
This post presents an almost 5 minute long audio recording and the Hebrew text for the Nusach Ari version of the
Yemenite/Baladi Grace After Meals (Hebrew Text)
This post presents the Hebrew text for the Nusach Baladi Grace After Meals used by many Yemenite Jews. The blessing
One Line Grace After Meals
The one-line version of the Grace After Meals, presented below in Aramaic, English and transliterated, has been adopted for general use
By the Sweat of Their Brow: An Alternative Humanist Grace After Meals
This post offers two poems in Hebrew and English, excerpts from Dr. Tzemah Yoreh‘s work, “By the Sweat of their Brow,
Preliminary Psalms Recited Prior to the Grace After Meals
This short excerpt from Wikipedia briefly presents the various customs as to which Psalms are traditionally recited prior to the
Blessing the Spirit of All-which-Lives after Eating and Feeling Satiated: An Ecological Grace After Meals
This post provides the PDF file of “Haveri Nevarekh: Blessing the Spirit of All-which-Lives after Eating and Feeling Satiated: A Birkon” by
Ya Comimos: Ladino Prayer Following Grace After Meals
This post includes the lyrics for “Ya Comimos” in traditional Ladino, modern Ladino, and English. This poetic prayer is recited after the traditional
Conservative Ashkenazi Grace After Meals (Audio + Text)
In this audio recording, Rabbi Barry Kenter of the Greenburgh Hebrew Center sings the Shabbat version of the Grace After Meals according
Mizrahi Grace After Meals (Hebrew Audio & Text)
This post presents the Hebrew text and an audio recording of the full weekday Grace After Meals, according to the custom
Reform Abbreviated Grace After Meals (Audio & Text)
This post includes an audio recording of an abbreviated version of the Grace After Meals, accompanied by the Hebrew, English, and and
Ashkenazi Grace After Meals (Audio + Text)
This recording presents the complete Grace After Meals according to Ashkenazi custom, sung with the modern Israeli pronunciation of Hebrew in
Complete Ashkenazi Grace After Meals (Hebrew Text)
The following Hebrew text presents the Ashkenazi custom for the Grace After Meals from Tefillos.com. This is useful resource for Ashkenazi Jews
Al HaNissim for Hannukah
Al HaNissim is a short paragraph added to the Amidah prayer and the Grace After Meals on Hannukah, thanking God
Bendigamos Al Altísimo: A Spanish Grace After Meals Hymn (Audio & Text)
Bendigamos (literally “Let Us Bless”) is a Spanish hymn traditionally sung after meals by Jews of Spanish, Portuguese and Turkish descent (in
OneTable Shabbat Dinner Guide
Created by OneTable, a grassroots organization whose goal it is to help people enjoy Shabbat dinners together, the guide (39 pages) to
Traditional Practices - Learn How
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Let’s Learn T’fillah: The First Paragraph of Ashkenazi Birkat Hamazon
This short animated video from Rabbi David Paskin demonstrates how to sing the first paragraph of the Ashkenazi Grace After Meals
How to Recite the Reform Abbreviated Grace After Meals
In this instructional video, Rabbi Gary Pokras demonstrates how to recite the abbreviated version of the Grace After Meals for Shabbat
How to Sing the Abbreviated Grace After Meals for Shabbat (Reform)
In this 7 minute video, Rabbi Micah Greenstein introduces and sings the abbreviated Grace After Meals for Shabbat according to the Reform
Laws and Customs Practiced in Preparation for the Grace After Meals
In this halachic discourse, Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir of the Orthodox Union, discusses the obligations and customs Jews practice before
How to Sing Ashkenazi Grace After Meals for Shabbat (with transliteration)
This 13 minute video demonstrates how to sing the entire Ashkenazi version of the Grace After Meals for Shabbat using a popular
Some Technical Laws of the Grace After Meals
In this highly technical article from Aish.com, Rabbis Chaim Gross and Shraga Simmons explain the sources, structure, and intricate halachot (laws)
Beginning of Ashkenazi Grace After Meals (Audio & Text)
These recordings presents the beginning of the Grace After Meals according to Ashkenazi custom, sung with the modern Israeli pronunciation
Techincal Laws of the Grace After Meals
This highly technical article from Halachipedia.com explains the detailed laws associated with reciting the Grace After Meals according to Orthodox tradition. Some questions answered
OneTable Shabbat Dinner Guide
Created by OneTable, a grassroots organization whose goal it is to help people enjoy Shabbat dinners together, the guide (39 pages) to
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Music
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Al HaNissim for Hannukah
Al HaNissim is a short paragraph added to the Amidah prayer and the Grace After Meals on Hannukah, thanking God
Meydad Tasa: “Al Naharot Bavel” (By the Rivers of Babylon)
This music video features Medad Tasa singing a popular tune for the first six verses of Psalm 137 (By the
Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach: Shir Hama’alot
This audio recording features Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach singing his original melody for Psalm 126, Shir Hama’alot (Song of Ascents), which is widely recited by Ashkenazi Jews before the Grace
Rabbi Shefa Gold Chants the Ben Ish Chai’s Shortened Birkat Hamazon
This post presents Rabbi Shefa Gold’s meditative Aramaic and English chant based on the Ben Ish Chai’s one-line version of the Grace After
Piamenta’s Rock Song Inspired by the Grace After Meals
This video presents Yosi Piamenta’s original rock song inspired by the Grace After Meals. Although most of this 8 minute long song is
A Musical Version of Nusach Ari Grace After Meals
This almost 12 minute long audio recording presents the Nusach Ari version of the Grace After Meals sung slowly by
Bendigamos Al Altísimo: A Spanish Grace After Meals Hymn (Audio & Text)
Bendigamos (literally “Let Us Bless”) is a Spanish hymn traditionally sung after meals by Jews of Spanish, Portuguese and Turkish descent (in
Spiritual Sustenance: Shoshannah’s Rendition of Popular Grace After Meals on Piano
This audio clip presents internationally acclaimed composer and pianist, Shoshannah, performing the most popular tune for the Grace After Meals.
Fortuna Performs “Bendigamos” Sephardic Grace After Meals Hymn
This video clip presents Brazilian singer, songwriter and actress, Fortuna, performing “Bendigamos Al Altísimo,” a Spanish hymn traditionally sung after meals by
What else?
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Mayim Achronim: Washing the Finger Tips Prior to Grace After Meals
This brief post by Rabbi Baruch Davidson outlines the laws, customs and meaning behind the commandment to wash one’s fingertips
Grace After Meals Meditation Based on Traditional Sources
This post suggests a Grace After Meals mediation for gratitude, intention, and blessing, based on two separate verses from Jewish
Prayer for the Peace of Two States for Two Peoples (for the Birkat Hamazon)
This Hebrew and English text by Ira Tick is a prayer for a peaceful, just solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict
A Poetic Translation of Shir Hama’alot (Psalm 126)
This post presents Shim’on Menachem’s poetic and nuanced translation and interpretation of Psalm 126, which is traditionally recited before the Grace After
Alternative Blessings, Food for Thought, and Thought for Food
This two page PDF document includes a variety of blessings, meditations, teachings and customs to be performed before, during and
A Social Justice Themed Thanksgiving Adaptation of the Grace After Meals
This post presents an English adaptation of the traditional Grace After Meals written by Interfaith Workers Justice, an American organization that
A Creative Lesson Plan to Teach the Grace After Meals to Students
This twelve-part lesson plan from The Lookstein Center for Jewish Education aims to teach middle school students the meaning and purpose
The Importance of Reciting the Grace After Meals (Yiddish)
This 8 minute long video, which targets a Yiddish speaking audience, seeks to enlighten Orthodox Jews about the importance of the
Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi’s Creative Interpretation of the Grace After Meals
This innovative translation of the Ashkenazi Grace After Meals by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, the father of the Jewish Renewal movement, brings
Marcia Falk’s Grace After Meals Prayer
This excerpt from Marcia Falk‘s “The Book of Blessings” offers a short prayer based on the basic blessings of the Grace