Chapter 8: Hamotzi – The blessing over bread

This chapter will focus on the types of breads which receive the blessing of Hamotzi as well as some general subjects relating to the blessing. All further details that relate to Hamotzi, particularly within a meal setting, will be discussed in length in volume 2, see there for all further questions you may have on the subject of Hamotzi and bread subject to a meal.

1. The blessing on bread:

The blessing of Hamotzi is designated for breads made from the five grains that are commonly used to establish a meal. This blessing elevates bread above other grain-based foods, which only receive the Mezonos blessing if not typically used as a staple. The distinction is based on the bread’s significance and its role as a primary food.

2. Said wrong Bracha Rishona on Hamotzi bread– Law of Bedieved:

One who said the blessing of Mezonos on Hamotzi bread, is not to say another blessing of Hamotzi on the food. Likewise, one who said the blessing of Ha’adama on Hamotzi bread, is not to say another blessing of Hamotzi on the food. [Nonetheless, it is proper to say Shehakol on another food, and have in mind to include the Mezonos or Hamotzi food.] If one says Hagafen on bread, it does not count and the correct blessing must be said. If one says Haeitz on bread, most authorities rule the blessing does not count; say the correct blessing. If one says Shehakol on bread, the blessing counts and should not be repeated.

	Bread
Hamotzi
Mezonos	√ SBL
Hagafen	X
Haeitz	X*
Ha’adama	√ SBL
Shehakol	√

• Yotzei Bedieved
• SBL = Yotzei because of Machlokes and Safek Brachos Lihakel, although best to circumvent Machlokes.

X    Not Yotzei. Must Repeat Bracha

X*  Machlokes, but we conclude that one is Not Yotzei. Must Repeat Bracha

3. What breads receive the blessing of Hamotzi:

Bread can be made from various types of flour and liquids, resulting in many different styles and forms, such as white or whole grain bread, sweet breads, crackers, or pastries. The blessing recited on bread depends on factors like the flour used, shape, liquid, added flavors, and preparation method (baked, boiled, or fried). The chapter focuses on which flours and preparations qualify a product as Hamotzi bread, while factors like sweetness or alternative liquids will be discussed later.

4. The type of grain and flour – The five cereal grains:

Bread can only be Hamotzi if made from one of the five grains: wheat, barley, rye, spelt, or oats. Various species and hybrids (like triticale, einkorn, emmer, kamut) are included under these grains, but Turkish Weitz is not. Bulgur is made from wheat and is thus one of the five grains; buckwheat is not a grain and does not qualify. The wheat kernel has three main parts: bran (outer layer, blessing is Shehakol), endosperm (main starchy part), and germ (embryo, considered grain for blessings). Gluten and wheat starch do not have the status of flour for Hamotzi or Mezonos; seitan, made from gluten, is also excluded. Sprouted wheat flour (used in products like Ezekiel bread) is considered like regular flour and qualifies for blessings of Mezonos or Hamotzi.

 

Part/Concept	Bracha Status
Bran (Subin in Hebrew)	Shehakol
Endosperm	Can become Hamotzi or Mezonos
Germ (Navat Hachita in Hebrew)	Can become Hamotzi or Mezonos
Gluten [Byproduct]	Not flour, cannot become Mezonos or Hamotzi
Wheat starch (Amilan Chita in Hebrew)	Can become Hamotzi or Mezonos
Morson	Shehakol
Wheat straw	Cannot become Hamotzi

5. Legume bread:

Bread made only from legume flour is Shehakol and requires the Borei Nefashos blessing. Bread made from rice flour alone is subject to differing opinions, but it is best eaten during a meal that includes traditional bread; otherwise, blessings should be recited on other foods first. If bread is made from a mixture of rice and other legume flours, the blessing depends on which flour is the main ingredient: rice follows the rice bread guidance, legume flour follows Shehakol, and if equal, the blessing is based on whichever flour is in greater proportion.

 

6. Multi-grain bread- The blessing over bread made from a mixture of legume flour [excluding rice] with 5 grain flour:

Before blessing and washing: Bread made with both legume flour and five grain flour is considered Hamotzi even if five grain flour is a minority ingredient. Washing hands is required before eating, but a blessing is only said if enough is eaten (a Kibeitza, about 53.8g, within a certain time). If the five grain flour is only added for texture, not taste or nourishment, the blessing changes to Shehakol.

After blessing: The after-blessing depends on the amount of five grain flour the bread contains and is eaten. If the bread contains 16.7 % of five grain flour, then if he ate a Kezayis of the bread [but not a Kezayis of the five grain flour] he is to recite Al Hamichyah. If the bread does not contain 16.7 % of 5 grain flour then if one plans to eat a Kezayis of this bread he is to only eat it within a meal. Alternatively, [in the latter case] one is to eat a Kezayis each of two other foods of which one is Mezonos and the second receives a Borei Nefashos, and then recite an Al Hamichyah and Borei Nefashos on both foods.

 

7. Bread made of rice and 5 grain flour:

Bread made of rice and wheat flour: Bread that is made of rice and wheat flour receives a Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon if the entire bread has the taste of wheat. If the entire bread does not have the taste of wheat, then it follows the same laws as any bread that is made of legume and five grain flour, explained in Halacha 4.

Rice bread that contains spelt/rye/oat/barley flour: It follows the same laws as any bread that is made of legume and five grain flour, explained in Halacha 4.

 

8. Gluten free bread:

Gluten free bread is made without grains containing gluten, such as wheat and barley. It can be made from oat flour, legume or seed flours, or a mixture of these. Bread made only from oat flour requires the Hamotzi blessing and Birchas Hamazon. Bread made solely from legume flour (not including rice) requires the Shehakol blessing and Borei Nefashos. If oat flour is mixed with legume flour, Hamotzi is said before eating, even if oat is the minority; Birchas Hamazon depends on the amount of oat flour consumed, as explained in the previous Halachos.

 

9. Bran bread and whole wheat bread:

Bran bread is usually made with whole wheat flour and other ingredients; pure bran bread (100% bran) is impractical. The blessing (bracha) for bran bread made with wheat or oat flour is Hamotzi; for breads made with other flours, the blessing is Shehakol. After eating a Kezayis of wheat or oat flour bread, one recites Birchas Hamazon. Whole wheat bread, if made from the entire wheat kernel (including bran), counts all components toward the required portion for the blessing. Some whole wheat bread is made by adding separated bran back into the flour; in such cases, a full Kezayis of wheat flour (excluding bran) is needed for the after-blessing, so it is best to eat enough actual flour to fulfill the requirement.

 

10. Ezekiel bread

The blessing before eating is usually Hamotzi, unless made entirely of sprouts with no grain, in which case it is Shehakol. The after blessing is Borei Nefashos, unless eaten as part of a meal with regular bread.

11. Whole kernel bread:A. Oatmeal flake bread:

If made with five-grain flour and resembles standard bread, say Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon. If made with legume flour or just oat flakes (not sliceable as bread), say Mezonos and Al Hamichya.

B. Pumpernickel (whole kernel rye) bread:

If contains five-grain flour and is sliceable, say Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon. If made with legume flour or only rye pieces and is not sliceable, say Mezonos and Al Hamichya.

 

12. Bread croutons, soup almonds [i.e. Shikidei Marak]:

All store bought bread croutons are Mezonos. If homemade Hamotzi croutons are placed into soup, then if entered into a Keli Rishon [i.e. the actual pot of soup], then its blessing is Mezonos due to doubt. If, however, the croutons are placed into a Keli Sheiyni [i.e. a typical bowl of soup] then they remain Hamotzi unless it disintegrates.

Item	Blessing When Eaten Plain	Blessing When Eaten in Soup (Keli Sheiyni)
Store bought bread croutons	Mezonos	Mezonos
Homemade croutons from bread	Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon	Hamotzi (unless disintegrates)
Homemade croutons from dough	Mezonos and Al Hamichya	Mezonos
Soup almonds (Shikidei Marak)	Mezonos and Al Hamichyah	Mezonos and Al Hamichyah
Baked product, then cooked, Kezayis size	Hamotzi/Birchas Hamazon	Hamotzi/Birchas Hamazon
Baked product, then cooked, less than Kezayis	Mezonos and Al Hamichyah (due to doubt)	Mezonos and Al Hamichyah (due to doubt)

13. Breaded foods:

Breaded foods typically maintain the status of the item they coat, as explained in Chapter 17 Halacha 4 about the principles of Ikar and Tafel.

 

14. Baked flat bread made from dough:

Flat bread baked from dough made of five grains is considered bread irrelevant of its thickness or thinness, requiring the Hamotzi blessing for any amount eaten and Birchas Hamazon if a Kezayis is consumed. Fried flatbread follows different rules.

 

15. Matzah:

During Pesach, everyone agrees the blessing on Matzah is Hamotzi. Throughout the rest of the year, Ashkenazi custom is to say Hamotzi on Matzah, while the Sephardic custom is to say Mezonos unless a meal is established. Egg Matzah is generally Mezonos unless a meal is established over it. Those who are meticulous should eat Matzah within a meal or establish a meal over it, to cover all opinions.

 

16. Boiled dough:

Any dough which was cooked in liquid is Mezonos and Al Hamichya even if one sets a Seuda on it and even if they are large pieces.

Examples:

• Boiled Noodles, Pasta, Spaghetti: All forms of boiled Noodles, Pasta, or Spaghetti are Mezonos and Al Hamichya, irrelevant of the amount one eats, even if one sets a meal over it. Furthermore, some Poskim rule all noodles are Mezonos even if baked as they do not have the appearance of bread, as will be explained in Chapter 9 Halacha 7.
• Boiled Dumplings or Dough Patches– Kneidlach & Kreplach: Boiled dumplings or dough Patches, known in Yiddish as Kneidlach and Kreplach, are Mezonos and Al Hamichya, irrelevant of the amount one eats, even if one sets a meal over it.

 

17. Fried dough:

*Important note: This law refers specifically to fried dough. For fried bread [i.e. dough that has already been baked], see Halacha 21!

Fried dough’s blessing depends on the method of frying and amount of oil used.

1. Pan-baked with minimal oil (just to prevent sticking) is treated like baked bread: Hamotzi before eating, Birchas Hamazon after.
2. Pan-fried with a significant amount of oil is a debate: some say it’s like cooked (Mezonos/Al Hamichya), others like baked [i.e. Hamotzi]. Practically, we rule its Mezonos/Al Hamichya, but avoid eating to satiation unless within a meal.
3. Deep-fried (submerged in oil, e.g., Sufganiyot) is always considered like boiled: Mezonos before, Al Hamichya after, regardless of quantity eaten.

Blessings for Different Types of Fried Dough

Type of Fried Dough	Method	Blessing Before	Blessing After
Pan-Baked with Minimal Oil	Very little oil/grease, not submerged	Hamotzi	Birchas Hamazon
Pan-Fried with Significant Oil	Moderate amount of oil, not submerged	Mezonos	Al Hamichya
Deep-Fried (e.g., Sufganiyot, Spingim)	Completely submerged in oil	Mezonos	Al Hamichya

18. Sufganiyot:

The blessing before eating a typical Sufganiya (deep-fried or jam-filled) is Mezonos. If eaten during a meal for pleasure, recite Mezonos; if for satiation, do not recite a blessing. Deep-fried Sufganiyot always retain the Mezonos and Al Hamichya blessings, regardless of the amount eaten. Baked Sufganiyot may require Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon if a large amount is eaten, similar to Mezonos bread.

Type	Blessing Before Eating	During Meal (Pleasure)	During Meal (Satiation)
Deep-fried Sufganiyot	Mezonos	Recite Mezonos	Do not recite a blessing
Baked Sufganiyot

19. Boiled dough that is then fried or baked

If previously boiled dough is baked, it regains bread status and requires the Hamotzi blessing. If boiled dough is pan-fried in a greased pan with little liquid, it is also considered baked and requires Hamotzi. However, dough fried in oil is generally Mezonos unless eaten as a meal, in which case it should be eaten within a meal.

Examples:

• Bagels: Bagels are first boiled and then baked and are hence Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon like regular bread.
• Yerushalmi/Noodle Kugel: Since it contains oil, eggs, and is sweet/spicy, it’s considered Mezonos unless eaten as a meal. Furthermore, most authorities rule all noodles remain Mezonos even if baked and eaten as a meal.
• Boiled and Baked Lasagna: Some say it’s Hamotzi if a meal is set over it, but the common practice is to treat it as Mezonos, regardless of portion size or preparation.

Food Item	Preparation	Blessing (if not eaten as meal)	Blessing (if eaten as meal)
Bagels	Boiled then baked	Hamotzi	Birkat Hamazon
Baked cooked dough	Cooked then baked	Hamotzi	Birkat Hamazon
Fried dough (shallow/greased pan)	Pan-fried without much liquid	Hamotzi	Birkat Hamazon
Fried dough (oil)	Fried in oil	Mezonos	Within a meal only
Yerushalmi Kugel	Baked noodles with eggs, oil, spices	Mezonos	Mezonos (custom); some say Hamotzi if meal
Lasagna	Cooked noodles then baked	Mezonos	Mezonos (custom); some say Hamotzi if meal

20. Cooked bread – Blessing on Bread placed in soups, stew, or other dishes:

The law is that only baked dough receives the blessing of Hamotzi/Birchas Hamazon as opposed to cooked dough, as explained in Halacha 16. Now, what is law regarding if a baked product was then cooked? Does the bread remain Hamotzi or does it become Mezonos? This is dependent on a) whether the bread maintains its appearance of bread which is determined by whether it still maintains the size of a Kezayis and, b) whether it was placed in a pot on the fire, off the fire, or a Keli Sheiyni.

Submerged in Oil – Deep fried dough: Deep-fried bread has the same status as boiled bread.

 

A. Cooked on fire:

If a piece of bread at least the size of a Kezayis is cooked and retains its size, its blessing remains Hamotzi. If it loses that size, the blessing becomes Mezonos. Smaller pieces start as Mezonos, and ideally should be eaten within a meal if they still look like bread.

• Example – Kneidlach: Knedilach are Mezonos. See Halacha 24 for full details.

B. Keli Rishon – In a pot off the fire:

Putting bread into a hot pot that was on the fire has the same law as cooking it on the fire. If a Kezayis piece remains whole, it’s Hamotzi; if not, it’s Mezonos. Smaller pieces are debated, so Mezonos is said, but for those careful (Baal Nefesh), one should eat it during a meal if bread appearance remains.

• Example – Hamotzi croutons: If Hamotzi croutons [see above Halacha 12] are placed into a hot Keli Rishon, they are defined as cooked and subject to the above debate and in conclusion they receive a Mezonos blessing.

 

C. Keli Sheiyni – Soup bowl:

Bread placed into a soup bowl keeps its Hamotzi blessing, even for small pieces, unless they completely lose their bread appearance in which case the blessing is Mezonos.

• Example – Hamotzi croutons: If Hamotzi croutons [see above Halacha 12] are placed into a Keli Sheiyni bowl of soup then it is not defined as cooked, and hence only if the croutons are left inside the liquid long enough for them to disintegrate and lose any resemblance they have to bread are they defined as Mezonos, otherwise they remain Hamotzi.

 

D. Iruiy Keli Rishon – Poured soup onto bread that was in bowl:

Pouring hot liquid from a pot onto bread creates doubt about its cooking status. Practically, if a Kezayis piece remains, say Hamotzi. If not, or for small pieces, eat it during a meal due to doubt. If the bread fully disintegrates and loses its bread appearance, it becomes Mezonos.

• Example- Bread bowl soup: A bread bowl is a round loaf of bread with the top cut off and the inside hollowed out. It’s used as a bowl for serving soups. One must recite Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon upon eating the bread bowl even when the soup is poured directly into it from a Keli Rishon, as it retains a Kezayis in size.

 

E. Disintegration – The law if the bread has disintegrated:

In all cases, if bread less than a Kezayis disintegrates and loses its bread appearance, the blessing switches to Mezonos, even with cold water. The sign of lost appearance is when the soaking liquid turns white.

Case	Bread Size	Bread Appearance	Blessing
Cooked on Fire	Kezayis or more	Retains size	Hamotzi
Cooked on Fire	Kezayis or more	Loses size	Mezonos
Cooked on Fire	Less than Kezayis	Retains appearance	Mezonos
Cooked on Fire	Less than Kezayis	Loses appearance	Mezonos
Deep-fried/Submerged in Oil	Any size	Any	Same as boiled bread
Keli Rishon (Pot Off Fire)	Kezayis or more	Retains size	Hamotzi
Keli Rishon (Pot Off Fire)	Kezayis or more	Loses size	Mezonos
Keli Rishon (Pot Off Fire)	Less than Kezayis	Retains appearance	Mezonos
Keli Rishon (Pot Off Fire)	Less than Kezayis	Loses appearance	Mezonos
Keli Sheiyni (Soup Bowl)	Any size	Retains appearance	Hamotzi
Keli Sheiyni (Soup Bowl)	Less than Kezayis	Loses appearance	Mezonos
Iruiy Keli Rishon (Poured Soup Over Bread)	Kezayis or more	Retains size	Hamotzi
Iruiy Keli Rishon (Poured Soup Over Bread)	Less than Kezayis or loses size	Retains appearance	Eat within a meal (doubt)
Iruiy Keli Rishon (Poured Soup Over Bread)	Less than Kezayis	Loses appearance	Mezonos
Disintegration	Less than Kezayis	Loses appearance	Mezonos
Example – Kneidlach	Any	Any	Mezonos
Example – Hamotzi croutons (Keli Rishon)	Any	Any	Mezonos
Example – Hamotzi croutons (Keli Sheiyni)	Any	Retains appearance	Hamotzi

21. Fried Bread – French Toast:

*The law below refers to panfried bread, or bread which sizzles in the oil but is not submerged within it. Regarding bread that is deep-fried it follows the same law as cooked bread, as explained above in 20A.

If a piece of fried bread or French toast retains a Kezayis in size after the frying, the blessing of Hamotzi remains regardless of the amount of oil used. If the pieces are smaller than a Kezayis but fried with minimal oil, the blessing is still Hamotzi; if fried with a nice amount of oil, it is disputed whether Hamotzi or Mezonos should be said, and hence it is best to eat it within a meal and if one does not do so then he should recite Mezonos and Al Hamichyah. If the bread loses its appearance (disintegrates), and is less than a Kezayis, the blessing changes to Mezonos.

• Example – What is the proper blessing to say over French toast? Slices of French toast that are a Kezayis or more in size receive the blessing of Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon. Slices of French toast which are less than a Kezayis in size [i.e. entered into the frying pan while less than a Kezayis in size] and were fried with a decent amount of oil, then it is a dispute as to whether Hamozti or Mezonos should be recited, and thus it should only be eaten within a meal, and if one does not do so then he should recite Mezonos and Al Hamichyah.

Bread Size	Oil Amount	Bread Appearance	Blessing
Kezayis or more	Any (even deep fried)	Intact	Hamotzi
Less than Kezayis	Very minute	Intact	Hamotzi
Less than Kezayis	Larger amount	Intact	Disputed: Hamotzi or Mezonos
Less than Kezayis	Any	Disintegrated (lost appearance)	Mezonos
Started Kezayis, became less than Kezayis	Very minute	Intact	Hamotzi
Started Kezayis, became less than Kezayis	Nice amount	Intact	Mezonos and Al Hamichya
Started Kezayis, became less than Kezayis	Any	Disintegrated (lost appearance)	Mezonos
French toast (Kezayis or more)	Any	Intact	Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon
French toast (less than Kezayis)	Decent amount	Intact	Disputed: Hamotzi or Mezonos

22. Fried Matzah:

If the Matzah is a Kezayis in size when fried: If fried Matzah is at least a Kezayis in size, it remains Hamotzi no matter how much oil is used.

If the Matzah is less than a Kezayis in size prior to frying: If the Matzah is less than a Kezayis before frying, using only a tiny amount of oil means it stays Hamotzi, but using more oil makes its blessing disputed—so it should be eaten in a meal, or otherwise Mezonos and Al Hamichyah are recited.

If the Matzah’s started off a Kezayis and through the frying became less than a Kezayis in size: If the Matzah starts as a Kezayis but becomes smaller after frying, it is Mezonos unless just a minimal oil amount was used.

Case	Oil Amount	Blessing
Matzah is a Kezayis in size when fried	Any amount, even deep fried	Hamotzi
Matzah less than a Kezayis in size prior to frying	Minute amount (just so Matzah does not stick)	Hamotzi
Matzah less than a Kezayis in size prior to frying	Larger amount of oil	Disputed; main ruling: Mezonos and Al Hamichyah
Matzah started a Kezayis, became less than a Kezayis through frying	Very small amount (just so Matzah does not stick)	Hamotzi
Matzah started a Kezayis, became less than a Kezayis through frying	Nice amount, not deep-fried	Mezonos

23. Soaked bread – Bread that has soaked in cold water or other liquids:

Cold water: Bread soaked in cold water retains its Hamotzi blessing unless it completely loses its bread-like appearance, in which case it becomes Mezonos.

Hot water: If soaked in hot water, the blessing depends on how the bread was cooked and the type of vessel used, as detailed in previous laws.

Type of Liquid	Bread Condition	Blessing
Cold water	Bread retains bread-like appearance	Hamotzi
Cold water	Bread loses bread-like appearance	Mezonos
Hot water	Bread soaked	Depends on how bread was cooked and vessel type

24. Kneidlach – Matzah balls:

Kneidlach, or matzah balls, are dumplings made from matzo meal and typically have the blessing of Mezonos and Al Hamichya, regardless of whether they are cooked or fried, since they lose their bread-like appearance.

25. Matzah Brei:

Matzah brei is made by soaking and frying broken pieces of matzah with eggs. If the matzah pieces are each less than a Kezayis and have lost their recognizable appearance, the blessing is Mezonos (and Al Hamichyah), even if eaten as a meal. If the pieces are less than a Kezayis but still look like matzah, and only a little oil is used, the blessing remains Hamotzi. With more oil, there is a dispute and hence in such a case it preferably should be eaten within a meal, or otherwise say Mezonos. If the pieces are larger than a Kezayis and still recognizable, the blessing is always Hamotzi (and Birchas Hamazon). There is no difference whether it is cooked in a pot or pan. The key is the size and appearance of the matzah pieces and the amount of oil used.

Preparation	Piece Size	Appearance	Amount of Oil	Blessing
Soaked, mixed with eggs, fried/cooked	Less than Kezayis	Lost appearance	Any	Mezonos and Al Hamichyah
Soaked, mixed with eggs, fried/cooked	Less than Kezayis	Retains appearance	Very minute amount	Hamotzi
Soaked, mixed with eggs, fried/cooked	Less than Kezayis	Retains appearance	Larger amount	Disputed: Preferably within a meal, otherwise Mezonos and Al Hamichyah
Soaked, mixed with eggs, fried/cooked	More than Kezayis	Retains appearance	Any	Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon
Baked in pot or panfried	Less than Kezayis	Disintegrated, not recognizable	Any	Mezonos
Panfried	Less than Kezayis	Retains appearance	Nice amount	Disputed: Preferably within a meal, otherwise Mezonos
Cooked in pot or with little oil	Less than Kezayis	Retains appearance	Little oil	Hamotzi
Any method	Retained Kezayis size	Recognizable	Any	Hamotzi