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About the Author
Rabbi Shraga Simmons
Rabbi Shraga Simmons grew up trekking through snow in Buffalo, New York, enjoying summers as a tour guide at Niagara Falls. He holds a degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, and rabbinic ordination from the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. He is the co-founder of Aish.com, and founder of the Torah study site, JewishPathways.com. He is also the co-founder of HonestReporting.com, and author of "David & Goliath", the definitive treatment of media bias against Israel (2012). He lives with his wife and children in the Modi'in region of Israel.
#4: Integrity: Will the Real You Please Stand Up
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsHarvey S. Hecker Character Development Series: Life's greatest challenge is the battle for self-respect.
#3: Gratitude
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsHarvey S. Hecker Character Development Series: It’s not happy people who are thankful; it’s thankful people who are happy.
Trait #2: Discipline: The Power of Restraint
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsHarvey S. Hecker Character Development Series: Life is an ongoing training regimen in willpower.
Dustin Hoffman's Jewish Moment
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsWatch a moving clip of the actor declaring, “I am a Jew."
#1: Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsHarvey S. Hecker Character Development Series: Caring for others is the fuel for a vibrant life.
The Art of Character Perfection
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsHarvey S. Hecker Character Development Series: Improving ourselves is a tangible way to improve the world.
44. The JewishPathways Brachot Food Guide
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsThe correct bracha to say for over 500 food items.
43. 100 Blessings Each Day
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsAveraged over a typical day, one bracha is said every 10 minutes.
40. She'hecheyanu & Other Events
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsThe blessing that thanks God for enabling us to reach a special milestone.
39. Answering Amen
by Rabbi Chaim Gross and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsWhen another person says a bracha, we answer "amen" as a testament that the statement is true.
38. Being Motzi Others
by Rabbi Chaim Gross and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsOne person can say a bracha and exempt another person's obligation.
37. Bracha Achrona: After the Fact
by Rabbi Chaim Gross and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsWhat happens of you mistakenly said the wrong after-bracha?
36. Time and Space
by Rabbi Chaim Gross and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsAn after-bracha is subject to restrictions of when and where.
35. Birkat Hamazon – Part 2
by Rabbi Chaim Gross and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsGrace After Meals requires extra dignity and concentration.
34. Birkat Hamazon – Part 1
by Rabbi Chaim Gross and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsThe special after-bracha said following a bread meal.
33. Bracha Achrona on Mixtures
by Rabbi Chaim Gross and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsWhen foods are eaten in combination, which after-bracha do you say?
32. Which Bracha Achrona to Say
by Rabbi Chaim Gross and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsGuidelines for the Three-Faceted Blessing, and the "miscellaneous" after-bracha.
Happiness Hall of Fame
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsAish.com author awarded for radiating the power of joy.
4 Reasons Why the Media is Biased against Israel
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsUnderstanding the media's insidious contribution to the war.
31. Bracha Achrona - Introduction
by Rabbi Chaim Gross and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsThe guidelines for saying bracha after finishing to eat.
30. Shinuy Makom: Wrap-Up and Review
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsInstances when a bracha remains in effect even after making a shinuy makom.
29. Outdoor Eating
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsThe difference between enclosed areas and open areas.
28. Leaving the House
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsWalking outside implies a cessation of this eating session.
27. Introduction to Shinuy Makom
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsChanging locations can terminate a bracha's effectiveness.
26. Terminating a Bracha's Effectiveness
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsCertain actions can signal your intention to stop eating.
25. The Right Environment
by Rabbi Chaim Gross and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsWhen saying a bracha, the surrounding environment must be dignified and clean.
24. Honor for Brachot
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsHow to ensure that brachot are said with the correct spiritual intent.
23. Unauthorized Brachot
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsAn unnecessary bracha is a problem of "saying God's Name in vain."
22. Soups & Cereals
by Rabbi Chaim Gross and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsA hodge-podge of ingredients produces some complex rules.
21. Special Status of Mezonot
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsA mezonot ingredient is always considered primary, even when not the majority.
20. Primary and Secondary Foods
by Rabbi Chaim Gross and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsA bracha on the primary food also covers the secondary food.
19. Including Other Foods – Part 2
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsThe bracha said at the beginning of the meal covers all foods normally consumed in a meal.
18. Including Other Foods – Part 1
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsA bracha includes whatever foods you intend to eat at the time you said the bracha.
17. Sequence of Brachot – Part 2
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsWhen two foods have different brachot, which bracha is said first?
16. Sequence of Brachot – Part 1
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsWhen eating two foods that have the same bracha, we say the bracha over the more important food.
15. Drinks During a Meal
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsWhen you drink during a bread meal, when is a bracha required and when is it not?
14. Fruit During a Meal
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsFruit can be eaten as a main course, an appetizer, or for dessert.
13. Other Foods at a Bread Meal
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsGenerally, when other foods are eaten with bread, the only bracha recited is Hamotzee.
Should Israel accept Syrian Refugees?
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsFinding the right way to show compassion.
12. Non-Hamotzee Bread
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsAltering the state of bread can sometimes "downgrade" the bracha from Hamotzee to Mezonot.
11. The Mezonot Meal
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsWhen eaten as meal, cake attains the status of bread and its bracha is Hamotzee.
10. Three Mezonot Categories
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsHow bread differs from cake, and how cake differs from pasta.
The Real Story behind the Viral Head-Lock
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsA Palestinian filmmaker scripts a confrontational scene – again.
9. Introduction to Mezonot
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsThe special bracha said on satiating and nutritious grains.
8. Ha'gafen Covers All Drinks
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsTwo key conditions for Ha'gafen to cover other beverages.
7. Fruit Juice & Wine
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsJuice is considered a separate entity from the fruit.
6. Altered States
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsAltering the state of a food can also change its bracha.
5. Six Types
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsGetting practical: The six basic brachot said on food.
4. Eating without a Bracha?!
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsIt is worse to eat without a bracha than it is to waste food.
3. When is a Bracha Not Required?
by Rabbi Yair Spolter and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsSince eating is an act of pleasure, some situations are exempt from a bracha.
