Bread made from the five species of grains identified by our sages (wheat, barley, rye, spelt or oat) require the blessing "Hamotzi" (הַמּוֹצִיא). In order to be considered bread, the liquid ingredient has to be primarily water and it has to be baked. Dough that uses more oil or fruit juice than water (like pastries), or dough that is fried or cooked (like pasta) is not regarded as "bread," and the blessing of mezonot is said instead (see Blessings before Eating).

Washing the Hands

Bread has the special requirement that we ritually wash our hands before partaking of it. Make sure your hands are clean and free of rings or anything else which might intervene between the fingers and the flow of water. Fill a large cup with water (preferably a special two-handled cup, although any large cup can be used) and pour it three times over your right hand, then three times over the left. Lift your hands and rub them together, and as you do so, recite the following blessing (only if you will be eating at least two ounces of bread):

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְ‑יָ אֱ‑לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ עַל נְטִילַת יָדָים:

Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm ah-shehr keed-shah-noo bi-meetz-voh-taiv vi-tzi-vah-noo ahl ni-tee-laht yah-daim


Blessed are You L-rd our G‑d King of the universe Who has sanctified us with his commandments and commanded us on the washing of the hands.

Listen to this blessing

Then dry your hands thoroughly. Do not speak or engage in other activities between washing your hands and saying the Hamotzi blessing.

The Hamotzi Blessing

The blessing on bread:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְ‑יָ אֱ‑לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ:

Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm hah-moh-tzee leh-khehm meen hah-ah-rehtz.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the Universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.

Listen to this blessing

Eating a Meal With Bread

When eating a meal that includes bread, begin your meal by washing, making the "Hamotzi" blessing, and eating a piece of bread. The Hamotzi blessing will "cover" everything you eat and drink as part of the meal (except for certain desserts and wine). "Grace After Meals" (Birkat Hamazon) is recited if you've eaten at least an ounce of bread and will cover everything you've eaten.