Grace After Meals

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Grace After Meals

We are all aware of saying grace before we eat. Did you know the Torah tells us to say grace ‘after’ we’ve eaten also? In Deut. 8:10 it says, “When you “have eaten” and are satisfied, you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which he has given you.” This is the source quoted by the Rabbis who determined the basic formulation of the grace after meals. A specified minimal quantity of food must have been eaten, something larger than the size of an olive. It was the custom to remove all knives from the table at the time grace was said, however, some bread was left. Some Hebrews maintain the ancient custom of dipping their fingers in water before the after meal grace is said. When at least three males above the age of thirteen have eaten together, an invitation to say grace is asked for. It is known as Birkat Ha-Mazon.

Now there have been differing forms in different rites done over the years, but they all basically stick to the main theme of giving praise to “the one of whose bounty we have partaken.” If at least ten males (a minyan) are present, the word Elohenu is included in the summons and the response. If Rabbis are present, they are verbally acknowledged at this time. Although the Mishnah (Ber.7.2) did not allow minors or women to be counted, three or more women eating together have the Talmud’s permission to form a minyan of their own. Also, originally, the Rabbis laid down the rule that says the householder breaks the bread and the guest says the grace. This was done this way in order to bless the host of the meal. However, now in the current times, anyone at the table may be honored with the leading of grace after meals. Structurally, the prayer consists of four benedictions, three ancient and one mishnaic. The first is ascribed to Moses, praising YHVH for sustaining all his creatures with food. The second is ascribed to Joshua and is a prayer of thanks for the deliverance from Egypt. The third is ascribed jointly to David and Solomon, which asks YHVH to provide Israel with relief from want and humiliation and to vindicate His people by restoring Jerusalem.

The fourth is an extra prayer that is just put in on Sabbath, the new moon, festivals, and the new year. It was composed by the sages and thanked YHVH for “all” his benefits. Here is a brief summary of a grace after meals prayer; Blessed are You O YHVH, King of the universe, who feeds the entire world with Your goodness, grace, kindness, and mercy. You give food to all flesh, for Your mercy endures forever. Through Your great goodness, we have never lacked food, and may we never lack Your sustenance forever and ever. We give thanks to You, because You did give our fathers a pleasant and spacious land, the Torah, and food in plenty. Have mercy upon Israel Your people and let us inherit the day which, will be wholly Shabbat. We need to begin at home to familiarize ourselves with saying a grace after meals prayer, begin today. Shalom