Illustration Credit: Elad Lifshitz, Dov Abramson Studio
Halakhah הֲלָכָה
The mitzvah to say בִּרְכַּת הַמָּזוֹן (Birkat Ha-Mazon, Grace after Meals) comes from these words in our parashah (Devarim 8:10).
וְאָכַלְתָּ וְשָׂבָעְתָּ וּבֵרַכְתָּ אֶת ה’ אֱלֹקֶיךָ
you shall eat, and be satisfied, and bless God
We can learn different details about Birkat Ha-Mazon from each word!
You shall eat — וְאָכַלְתָּ
We say Birkat Ha-Mazon after eating a meal that includes bread, or a meal of doughy food like pizza, even if you made the berakhah מְזוֹנוֹת (mezonot) on the food (Shulhan Arukh Orah Hayyim, 168:6).
And be satisfied — וְשָׂבָעְתָּ
Even if you don’t feel full, the Gemara says to recite Birkat Ha-Mazon for eating at least a כְּזַיִת (k’zayit) of bread (Berakhot 20b). This means “the size of an olive,” and in modern measurements it’s about the size of a slice of bread.
And you shall bless God — וּבֵרַכְתָּ אֶת ה’ אֱלֹהֶיךָ
Eating yummy food and enjoying it can be a reminder to say “thank you.” Birkat Ha-Mazon expresses gratitude to God for food, redemption, Torah, life, Eretz Yisrael, Yerushalayim, and all kinds of God’s goodness.
Oops!
I forgot to say Birkat Ha-Mazon after breakfast and now I’m at school! What should I do?
It’s best to say Birkat Ha-Mazon where you ate. If you accidentally go to a new place before remembering Birkat Ha-Mazon, it’s best to return to the place where you ate to say it there. But if you can’t—like if you’re already at school—it’s ok to say Birkat Ha-Mazon wherever you remember (Mishnah Berakhot 8:7, Shulhan Arukh Orah Hayyim, 184:1).
I totally forgot Birkat Ha-Mazon! Is it too late?
It depends how late you are. You always have 72 minutes to say Birkat Ha-Mazon, after you eat. If 72 minutes have passed, but you still feel full from your meal, you can still say Birkat Ha-Mazon (Berakhot 53b, Arukh Ha-Shulhan OH 184:7-8). So, want something to eat?
-------------------
-------------------
