Question
What bracha do I say when I eat in the sukkah?
Published September 20, 2026
Here's what you need to know
There is a special blessing (bracha) for sitting and eating in the sukkah, called 'Leishev BaSukkah,' recited at the start of a meal built around bread.
The specific rule is
The blessing is: 'Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu leishev ba-sukkah' (Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to dwell in the sukkah). Say it once at the start of each meal you eat in the sukkah that is built around bread, and not before snacks through the day. When the meal opens with Kiddush, which means the first night, Shabbat, and Yom Tov, the blessing comes as part of Kiddush rather than at the bread.
Step by step
- Sit down in the sukkah to begin the meal.
- On the first night of Sukkot (and the second night where two days are kept), say Kiddush first: the blessing over wine, then the holiday Kiddush text, then Leishev BaSukkah, then Shehecheyanu.
- On Shabbat and Yom Tov during the holiday, say Leishev BaSukkah as part of Kiddush as well, after the Kiddush text, rather than waiting for the bread.
- Wash hands (netilat yadayim) with its blessing.
- Recite the Hamotzi blessing over bread.
- On a weekday, where there was no Kiddush, say Leishev BaSukkah right after Hamotzi and before the first bite.
- Eat the meal.
Background
This blessing belongs to the category of brachot said before performing a mitzvah, like the blessing before shaking a lulav or lighting Chanukah candles. Because the essential fulfillment of the mitzvah of sukkah happens through eating a meal there, the blessing is tied to the start of a bread meal rather than said every time one merely walks in or has a snack. If someone is only having fruit or a snack without bread, no blessing is said, even though sitting in the sukkah itself is praiseworthy.
On the first night of Sukkot, the sequence is fixed as part of Kiddush: wine blessing, the holiday Kiddush text, then Leishev BaSukkah, then Shehecheyanu, before anyone washes hands or eats. This is because the obligation to eat in the sukkah on the first night is itself independent and central, so the blessing is folded into the opening of the meal.
On the other days, the sources record two orders: the blessing before Hamotzi, and the blessing right after Hamotzi and before the first bite, which is the sequence most siddurim print and most people follow. Both are real, and following whichever order your own siddur or family custom uses is fine. When the meal opens with Kiddush the question doesn't arise, because the blessing is said as part of Kiddush instead. And if a person forgot and only remembers partway through the meal, the blessing may still be said, since one remains obligated in the mitzvah for the duration of the meal.
Each source is checked against Sefaria — unverified references are dropped, never shown.
This is general educational information about Jewish law and custom, not a halachic ruling. For decisions that affect you personally, consult a qualified rabbi.
Ask your own question
Opens the asking page with your question ready — a plain-language answer with real sources.