Birkat Hamotzi

Birkat Hamotzi (Hebrew: בִּרְכַּת הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ‎ "Who brings forth bread from the earth") is one of the principal and best-known blessings over food in Judaism, recited before eating bread. This blessing exempts other foods from requiring a separate blessing when they are eaten during the meal initiated by the bread. However, other blessings cannot substitute for it. The proper after-blessing following bread is the full Birkat Hamazon.^[1]

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ

Traditional Hebrew text of the "Hamotzi" blessing

The blessing "hamotzi lechem min haaretz" is recited over bread.

Bread as the staple of human diet

Bread is made from the five species of grain, and as such it might have been expected to require the blessing "Borei Pri Ha'Adama" (Creator of the fruit of the ground), as with other produce. However, the Sages instituted a distinct blessing due to bread's central importance in the human diet, as expressed in the verse: "And bread sustains man’s heart".^[2]

This centrality is also reflected in other commandments, such as separating challah and Birkat Hamazon, which according to some opinions is the only blessing of biblical origin.^[3]

Text of the blessing

The Mishnah states:

How does one bless over fruits?... Over produce of the earth one says "Who creates the fruit of the ground", except for bread, over which one says "Who brings forth bread from the earth".

However, the Talmud notes a disagreement among the Tannaim over the precise formulation. The Mishnah cites the Sages' view, using "hamotzi" (with the definite article), while Rabbi Nehemiah argues that one should say just "motzi". He bases this on a verse in Numbers 23:22, while the Sages derive their form from verses such as Deuteronomy 8:15 and Exodus 6:7.

The standard version of the blessing is based on Psalms 104:14: "He causes grass to grow for the cattle and plants for man’s labor, to bring forth bread from the earth."^[4]

Laws of the blessing

It is preferable to bless over a whole loaf.

This blessing is recited over any form of bread, including breadcrumbs without a full kezayit or those that have been cooked or fried, as long as they retain the appearance of bread (torita d'nahama).^[1]

Foods made from grain but intended for casual consumption are blessed with "Borei Minei Mezonot", unless one establishes a full meal over them, in which case "Hamotzi" is required.^[3]

Because of the commandment v'kidashto, when several people eat together, a kohen should be honored with reciting the blessing.^[1]

One should eat immediately after reciting the blessing. If one speaks even a single unrelated word before eating, the blessing is invalidated and must be repeated. However, if the speech was related to the meal (e.g., asking for salt), it is not considered an interruption.

It is ideal to eat at least a kezayit of bread without interruption, to honor the blessing. Still, if needed, one may speak after swallowing a bit of bread.^[5]

Customs

• Holding the bread in the right hand while reciting the blessing.
• When multiple types of bread are present, the blessing is made on the superior one.
• Preference is given to whole, less tasty bread over a broken, tastier loaf.
• Tearing the bread from its better-baked area (less relevant today).
• When eating together, one person may recite "Hamotzi" for all.
• Traditionally, bread is dipped in salt before eating. Though modern bread is already seasoned, many still follow the custom to enhance the mitzvah.

When the meal ends

The "Hamotzi" blessing covers all standard foods and drinks of the meal, even if it lasts for hours. If a person decides to end the meal but later wants to resume eating, there is a dispute among authorities. To avoid doubt, it is preferable to refrain from eating. After reciting Birkat Hamazon, any further eating requires new blessings.^[1]

A guest relying on the host’s intentions may continue eating even after thinking the meal ended. The same applies to a husband relying on his wife or diners in a cafeteria. But if one explicitly decided not to eat more and later changed their mind, they should first recite Birkat Hamazon. Pausing a meal for prayer does not require new blessings afterwards, nor does falling asleep briefly. However, sleeping in bed is considered a full break, requiring renewed Netilat Yadayim and blessings.^[1]

Washing hands for mayim acharonim signifies intent to end the meal, and if one then chooses to eat more, new blessings are required. If one initially intended only to eat what was at home but later fetched more food from a store or neighbor, a new blessing is required for the additional food.