Phrase guide

bracha levatala

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

a blessing said in vain

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Judaism

Examples

  • You don't say hamotzi on brisket! That's totally a bracha levatala!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a waste, a pointless action

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Judaism, figuratively

Examples

  • I spent the whole day trying to get to the market, but by they were closed by the time I got there! The whole thing was a bracha levatala.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Hebrew בְּרָכָה לְבַטָּלָה (b'rachá l'vatalá, “blessing in vain, lit. blessing in idleness”).