Topics in Halacha: Bracha Acharonah

This week's Topic In Halacha focuses on the laws of bracha acharona, the series of blessings we recite after eating food. It differs from birkat ha-mazon (bentching) in that these brachot are not biblically mandated. They still possess the element of gratitude that we express for having enjoyed food.

Examples include:

• Al ha-michya (after eating grain-based products such as cookies, cakes, and crackers)
• Borei nefashot (after eating any non-grain product, such as fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, etc.)
• Al ha-etz (after eating any of the fruits belonging to the shivat ha-minin, seven species)
• Al ha-gefen (after drinking wine or grape juice)