These recordings presents the beginning of the Grace After Meals according to Ashkenazi custom, sung with the modern Israeli pronunciation of Hebrew in a slow, clear voice to a popular melody. Chazzan Shoshi Rosenbaum of Mechon Hadar sings Shir Hamaalot (the Psalm sung before the blessing on Shabbat and festivals), the responsive invitation to blessing (zimmun), and the first paragraph of the blessing. The Hebrew and English texts of this selection of the blessing are presented below. Mechon Hadar is an educational institution that empowers Jews to create and sustain vibrant, practicing, egalitarian communities of Torah learning, prayer, and service.
A Song of Ascents (Shir Hama’alot)
(Recited on Sabbath and festivals)
When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like unto them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with exultation: then said they among the nations, The Lord hath done great things for them. The Lord hath done great things for us; whereat we rejoiced. Bring back our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. Though he goeth on his way weeping, bearing the store of seed, he shall come back with joy, bearing his sheaves.
Shir ha-maalot, beshuv Adonai et shivat tziyon hayinu ke-cholmim. Az yimalei sechok pinu
u-leshoneinu rinah az yomru va goyim higdil Adonai la’asot im eileh. Higdil Adonai la’asot imanu
hayinu semeichim. Shuvah Adonai et sheviteinu ka-afikim ba-negev. Ha-zorim be-dimah be-rinah yiktzoru. Haloch yeileich u’vachoh nosei meshech ha-zara, bo yavo ve-rinah nosei alumotav.
Invitation to Blessing (Zimmun)
(After eating in a group)
Leader begins: Rabotai nevareich.
My friends, let us say the blessing.
The others answer: Yehi sheim Adonai mevorach mei-atah ve-ad olam.
May the name of the Lord be blessed from now and forever more.
The leader continues: Bireshut — kol ha mesubaim kan, maranan ve-rabanan ve-rabotai, nevareich
(If there are ten men present add: Eloheinu) she-achalnu mishelo
May the name of the Lord be blessed from now and forever more. With permission of the distinguished people present, Let us bless Him (If there are 10 men present add: our God)
whose food we have eaten.
The others say: Baruch (Eloheinu) she-achalnu mishelo uve-tuvo chayinu.
Blessed is He (our God) whose food we have eaten and through whose goodness we live.
First Paragraph
Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who feedest the whole world with thy goodness, with grace, with lovingkindness and tender mercy; thou givest food to all flesh, for thy lovingkindness endureth for ever. Through thy great goodness food hath never failed us: O may it not fail us for ever and ever for thy great name’s sake, since thou nourishest and sustainest all beings and doest good unto all, and providest food for all thy creatures whom thou hast created. Blessed art thou, O Lord, who givest food unto all.
Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, ha-zan et ha-olam kulo be-tuvo be-chein be-chesed uve-rachamim hu notein lechem le-chol basar, ki le-olam chasdo. Uve-tuvo ha gadol tamid lo chasar lanu ve’al yechsar lanu mazon le-olam vaed. Ba’avur shemo ha gadol ki hu El zan u-mefarneis la-kol u-meitiv la-kol u-meichin mazon le-chol beriyotav asher baro. Baruch ata Adonai, ha-zan et ha-kol.