Berachot (Hebrew: ברכות B'rakhoth in Talmudic/Classical Hebrew, "Benedictions"; also Berachos) is the first tractate (Hebrew: masekhet) of Seder Zeraim, a collection of the Mishnah that primarily deals with laws relating to plants and farming. It primarily addresses the rules regarding the Shema (a section of the Torah recited as part of prayer), the Amidah (Silent prayer), Birkat Hamazon (Grace after Meals), Kiddush (Sanctification ceremony of Shabbat and holidays), Havdalah (ceremony that ends Shabbat and holidays) and other blessings and prayers. It is the only tractate in Zeraim to have a Gemara (rabbinical commentaries and analysis) from both the Babylonian Talmud and the Jerusalem Talmud.
The Shema
The first three chapters of the tractate address the subject of the Shema, the central prayer of Judaism which is to be said twice per day. Topics discussed include when to say it, how to say it and possible exemptions from the fulfillment of this mitzvah ("commandment").