85

To bless the Almighty after eating

The Luchos - Ten Commandments
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Blessings – בְּרָכוֹת

We are commanded to express gratitude to G‑d after every meal.

This mitzvah commands us to bless Hashem after eating a meal that satisfies. It is the source for Birkat HaMazon (Grace after Meals), a series of blessings thanking Hashem for sustenance, the Land of Israel, Jerusalem, and His constant kindness. Unlike other blessings, which are rabbinic, this mitzvah establishes a Torah obligation to express gratitude after receiving physical satisfaction, reminding us that all sustenance comes from Hashem.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

  • Rambam (Hilchot Berachot 1:1): States that Birkat HaMazon is a Torah obligation whenever one eats bread to satiation.
  • Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 430): The root is to ingrain gratitude in the heart, acknowledging that all blessings — physical and spiritual — flow from Hashem.
  • Talmud (Berachot 48b): Derives the structure of Birkat HaMazon from this verse, attributing each of its blessings to historical moments of Hashem’s kindness.
(Source: Chabad.org)
וְאָכַלְתָּ֖ וְשָׂבָ֑עְתָּ וּבֵֽרַכְתָּ֙ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ עַל־הָאָ֥רֶץ הַטֹּבָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָֽתַן־לָֽךְ׃ - פָּרָשַׁת עֵקֶב
Deuteronomy 8:10 - "And you will eat and be sated, and you shall bless the Lord, your God, for the good land He has given you."

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