Positive Commandment 19 (Digest)
Grace after Meals
"And you will eat and be sated then you will bless G‑d"—Deuteronomy 8:10.
We are commanded to express gratitude to G‑d after every meal.
Unabridged English Text of this Mitzvah »
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> The 19th mitzvah is that we are commanded to thank G‑d (exalted be He) after each time we eat.;)
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> The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,;) "When you have eaten and are satiated, You shall bless G‑d your L‑rd."
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> The Tosefta;) says, "Reciting the blessing after eating is a mitzvah of the Torah, as the verse says, 'When you have eaten and are satiated, you shall bless G‑d your L‑rd.' "
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> The details of this mitzvah are explained in many places in the tractate Berachos.;)
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> Footnotes
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> 1.
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> This speaks primarily of bread made from the five grains. After eating other types of food, one is required to recite a blessing by Rabbinic ordinance.
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> 2.
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> Deut. 8:10.
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> 3.
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> Berachos, beginning of Chapter 6.
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> 4.
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> The Rambam usually explains whether or not a particular mitzvah is obligatory on women. However, in Hilchos Berachos, Chapter 5, Halacha 1, he rules that it is halachically doubtful whether they are obligated by Torah or Rabbinic law.