This post presents the blessing over the bread both in its traditional format (i.e. with masculine God-language) and using feminine God-language, an option that reflects the blend of Jewish tradition with modern feminist approaches. The feminine version not only refers to God using the feminine Hebrew conjugations, but also replaces the term « King of the World » with « Spirit of the World, » which has a more spiritual and less patriarchal tone. Despite this textual difference in Hebrew, the author translates both phrases as « Bountiful, source of all life. » The texts appear in Hebrew, English, and transliteration, along with vocal recordings by Rabbi Margot Stein, a Reconstructionist rabbi, musician, cantor, and educator. This source is from Ritualwell.org, a project of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College that provides a platform for creating new Jewish practices and observances.
Feminine God-Language:
בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ יָהּ אֱלֹהֵינוּ רוּחַ הָעוֹלָם המוציאה לחם מן הארץ
B’rukhah At Ya Eloheinu ruach ha-olam Ha-motziah lechem min ha-aretz.
Blessed are You, Bountiful, source of all life Who brings forth bread from the earth.
Masculine God-Language:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם המוציא לחם מן הארץ
Barukh Attah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha-olam Ha-motzi lechem min ha-aretz.
Blessed are You, Bountiful, source of all life Who brings forth bread from the earth.