The Jewish view of the world is that almost everything — eating, drinking, celebrating, experiencing joy or sadness — can be holy. Awareness of what is holy is achieved through the use of blessings. In Jewish tradition, almost everything in life has a blessing associated with it. For instance, a blessing is recited before eating anything.

The Blessing on Bread

Eating food is truly a miraculous thing. According to the Talmud, since we do not make the rain fall or the sun shine, the food really belongs to God, the Creator. Through a blessing, the food we are about to eat becomes ours to consume. In blessing the food, we stop and become aware of the amazing food and of God, who created it and gave it to us as a gift. Since this constant awareness of the divine is such an essential part of Jewish life, everything from taking a trip to wearing a new piece of clothing to hearing good news to seeing wonders of nature is considered an opportunity for one of the myriad blessings in Judaism. For a list of blessings you can look online or in most Jewish prayer books.

Though there are various blessings to be made on foods depending on their source, only the blessing of bread is required if bread is eaten at a meal. Bread is uniquely seen as the staff of life. In fact, a meal in Jewish law is only a true meal if it contains bread. Thus, when eating bread as part of a meal, the blessing that is made on the bread covers almost all other foods that will be eaten at the meal. The full grace after meals is only recited after eating a meal containing bread. Therefore, most formal meals in Judaism begin with the hamotzie, the blessing on bread, which opens the meal and sanctifies it by thanking God.

Though many people could say the hamotzie for themselves, you may want to honor someone by asking her to make this blessing out loud on behalf of everyone present. A wedding usually has a large loaf of bread or challah that is prepared especially for a Jewish wedding. The hamotzie is said over this.

To make the hamotzie blessing on the bread or challah, the loaf is lifted in both hands and the following blessing recited, “Baruch ata adonai elohaynu melech ha'olam, ha'motzie lechem min ha'aretz.” (“Blessed are You God, Sovereign of the universe, Who brings bread from the ground.”) The bread is then cut and some salt sprinkled upon it. After the one who makes the blessing eats the bread, she can cut it up for anyone who would like to partake in it.

Hand Washing for Bread

Prior to the blessing of the hamotzie and the eating of bread, Jewish tradition dictates the ritual washing of the hands in preparation for this holy moment. The ritual washing of the hands is performed in a special way with a special “washing cup.” This ritual washing for the hamotzie is not for physical cleansing but spiritual preparation.

To wash the hands for the hamotzie, use a cup, preferably with one or two handles. Most Judaica stores sell washing cups especially for this purpose, and since no Jewish home should be without one you could keep it after your wedding.

The cup is grasped by the right hand and filled with water, then is transferred to the left hand and poured twice over the right hand. The cup is then transferred to the right hand and poured twice over the left hand. Before drying the hands, the following blessing is recited: “Baruch atah adonai, elohaynu melech ha'olam, asher kidishanu b'mitzvotav vi'tzivanu al nitilat yadayim.” (“Blessed are You God, Sovereign of the universe, Who has sanctified us with your commandments and commanded us on the washing of the hands.”)