The Basic Laws

The rules of blessings on foods are intricate, requiring careful study. Here are some of the most basic rules.

• A blessing is required whenever eating even a small amount of food.
• Know what blessing you must make before you begin.
• Hold the food in your right hand while reciting the blessing (if you are left-handed, hold it in your left).
• Do not talk until you swallow the first bite.
• As the name of G-d is mentioned in each blessing, and we do not say G-d's name in vain, we don't say a blessing unnecessarily. An exception is when teaching blessings to a child, as for purposes of education it is not considered,"in vain."
• Answer Amen immediately after hearing a blessing being concluded by another person. (Do not say Amen after your own blessing.)