How to Give the Motzi Blessing

In the Jewish religion, the motzi is a blessing given over any bread or grain product. It is used for a number of celebrations, including the Passover seder, where it is combined with a special prayer to bless the matzah. When you offer the motzi, you are completing one of the blessings necessary to proceed to the actual seder meal. You also commemorate the symbol of the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt and the poverty they endured before they left.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Reveal the matzah before the retelling of the Passover story, which is then followed by the motzi and the seder meal. Break the middle of the three matzah and hide half as the afikomen.
2. Give the motzi after you have completed the rochtza--the symbolic hand washing--but before eating the bitter herbs known as "maror." The order in which blessings are given is important during the seder, which literally translates as "order."
3. Bless the remaining matzah by reciting the motzi over it. The motzi is traditionally said over two whole loaves of bread, which is why two whole pieces of matzah should be used. You can give the following English blessing or use the Hebrew version: "Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth."
4. Recite the blessing over the matzah and the motzi. Since eating the matzah is an important part of observing Passover, an additional blessing must be said for it. Give the following English blessing or use a Hebrew translation: "Blessed are You, God, our Lord, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning the eating of matzah."
5. Taste the matzah while leaning to your left, which signifies the rest that the Israelites could not have during their time in Egypt.
6. Do not dip the matzah in salt water or mix other tastes with it. While you will eat the matzah with other foods as part of the seder, you should take your first bite of matzah by itself.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are hosting the seder, consider asking guests to lead the recitation of each blessing. However, if you are reciting prayers in Hebrew, make sure that guest is familiar with the blessings or can learn them before it is time to bless the matzah.