Having dinner is a great way to meet people. They last a few hours, so you’ll have time to eat, talk and make friends. The atmoshpere is informal and friendly.

DO assume that your hosts keep kosher (unless they tell you otherwise). Keeping kosher means that pork and shellfish are completely off limits, and mixing any dairy and meat is not allowed. Be aware of this!

If there’s something on your plate you don’t want to eat, or you can’t eat due to dietary restrictions, it’s okay to not eat everything off your plate.

Let’s begin with a few useful phrases and words.

I’m hungry אֲנִי רָעֵב (masc) אֲנִי רָעֵבָה (fem)

I’m thirsty
אֲנִי צָמֵא (masc)
אֲנִי צָמֵאָה (fem)

food – אֹכֶל
to eat – לאכול
meat – בָּשָׂר
turkey – הֹדּוּ
vegetables – יְרָקוֹת
rice – קִנּוּחַ
dessert – קִנּוּחַ

3. During the meal

As I mentioned above, dinner is an informal affair. So you may not have to wait for someone to put something on your plate. Everything is on the table and the host will invite you to…

Please help yourself…
(בְּבַקָּשָׁה) תַּרְגִּישׁ חוֹפְשִׁי לָקַחַת
(בְּבַקָּשָׁה) תַּרְגִּישִׁי חוֹפְשִׁי לָקַחַת
(בְּבַקָּשָׁה) תַּרְגִּישׁוּ חוֹפְשִׁי לָקַחַת

Something out of reach? you may need to ask the person next to you:

Could you please pass the..?
אַתָה יָכוֹל (בְבַקָשָׁה) לְהַעֲבִיר אֶת הַ…?
אַתְ יְכוֹלָה (בְבַקָשָׁה) לְהַעֲבִיר אֶת הַ…?

Would you mind passing me….?
אִכְפַּת לְךָ (בְּבַקָשָׁה) לְהַעֲבִיר אֶת הַ…?
אִכְפַּת לָךְ (בְּבַקָשָׁה) לְהַעֲבִיר אֶת הַ…?

How is it?

Israeli food is delicious, so don’t be shy in saying so…

This is delicious! – זֶה מַמָּשׁ טָעִים!
My compliments to the chef! – מַחְמָאוֹת לַשֶׁף!
Please, could I have the recipe? – אֶפְשָׁר (יִהְיֶה) לְקַבֵּל אֶת הַמַּתְכּוֹן?

If you feel like helping clean up afterwards:

Would you like a hand (with that)?
צָרִיךְ עֶזְרָה עִם זֶה?
צְרִיכָה עֶזְרָה עִם זֶה?

Other Articles on Food

Are you hungry? – May 30, 2012
Breakfast in Israel – June 30, 2012
Stopping at a café – October 22, 2012

Recipes

Chicken with Lemon Salsa – December 28, 2012
Avocado Sandwiches – March 28, 2012

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Picture: http://www.jweekly.com