For everyday use, for Shabbat and festivals.

Abraham Milligram provides an interesting discussion of this blessing and its history. It is noted, for example, that the first three of the four benedictions of the blessing are amongst the oldest prayers in the Jewish liturgy. Indeed, their authorship is ascribed in the Talmud to Moses, Joshua, David and Solomon.

It is noted that "This text does not include the blessings added on holidays and festivals, including Rosh Chodesh. It is suitable for use on weekdays and regular Shabbats." (To open this page an Acrobat Reader will be required).

A brief description of the birkat ha-mazon.

In the section on birkat ha-mazon, it is noted that whilst being one of the few prayers that the Bible commands God's people to recite, it is never recited in the synagogue. The age and structure of the blessing are briefly discussed.

This lecture (shiur) explains that the birkat ha-mazon "…is not merely a blessing over food but rather an all encompassing statement about all aspects of our existence." For this reason the birkat ha-mazon should reflect the special peculiarities of each day. It is the halachic implications of this that the author here addresses.