The most basic prayer (blessing) we recite before and after meals is:
Baruch atah Adonai-Yah Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, ha’motzi lechem min ha’aretz.
Translation: Blessed are You Adonai Yah our God, King of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.
If we are having wine or grape juice or any juices extracted from fruits, we recite:
Baruch atah Adonai-Yah Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, borei p’ri ha’gafen.
Translation: Blessed are You, Adonai Yah our God, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine. (Some, when cooking with olive oil, also recite this prayer before using the oil in the recipe)
For most other foods and drinks, we say:
Baruch atah Adonai-Yah Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, she’hakol ni’h’yeh bidvaro.
Translation: Blessed are You, Adonai Yah our God, King of the Universe, by whose word everything comes to be.
In accordance with Deuteronomy 8:10, “You shall eat and be full, and you shall bless YHWH your God for the good land which he has given you”, we also recite, after meals Psalm 136. However, on Shabbat and Festivals, instead of Psalm 136, we recite Psalm 126. After reciting these Psalms, we also recite 135:13.
Psalm 136 (on regular days)
Chapter 136
136:1 ¶
O give thanks to Mar-Yah, for he is good; for his mercy endures for ever.
2
O give thanks to the
God of gods; for his mercy endures for ever.
3
O give thanks to Mar-Yah of lords; for his mercy
endures for ever.
4
To him who alone does great wonders; for his mercy endures for ever.
5
To him
who by wisdom made the heavens; for his mercy endures for ever.
6
To him who stretched out the
earth above the waters; for his mercy endures for ever.
7
To him who made great lights; for his
mercy endures for ever;
8
The sun to rule by day; for his mercy endures for ever;
9
The moon and
stars to rule by night; for his mercy endures for ever.
10 ¶
To him who smote the first-born of Egypt; for his mercy endures for ever;
11
And brought out
Israel from among them; for his mercy endures for ever;
12
With a strong hand, and with a
stretched out arm; for his mercy endures for ever.
13
To him who divided the Red sea into parts;
for his mercy endures for ever;
14
And Israel to pass through the midst of it; for his mercy endures
for ever;
15
But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea; for his mercy endures for ever.
16
To
him who led his people through the wilderness; for his mercy endures for ever.
17
To him who
smote great kings; for his mercy endures for ever;
18
And slew mighty kings; for his mercy endures
for ever;
19
Sihon king of the Amorites; for his mercy endures for ever;
20
And Og the king of
Bashan; for his mercy endures for ever;
21
And gave their land for a heritage; for his mercy endures
for ever;
22
Even a heritage to Israel his servant; for his mercy endures for ever.
23 ¶
Who remembered us during our affliction; for his mercy endures for ever;
24
And has saved us
from our enemies; for his mercy endures for ever.
25
Who gives food to all flesh; for his mercy
endures for ever.
26
O give thanks to the God who is in heaven; for his mercy endures for ever.
Psalm 126 (on Shabbat and Festivals)
126:1 ¶
When Mar-Yah brought back the people of Sion from captivity, we were like those that
rejoice.
2
Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing; then said they
among the heathen, Mar-Yah has done great things for them.
3
Mar-Yah has done great things for
us, whereof we are joyful.
4 ¶
Turn again our captivity, O Mar-Yah, like the streams in the south.
5
They that sow in tears shall
reap in joy.
6
He who goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with
rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him
us, whereof we are joyful.
{Given by Brother Yusef ben Mich’el }
