One who did not eat a Ke’zayit or more of bread at a Sheba Berachot celebration may not recite any of the Berachot after Birkat Ha’mazon. Although the work Zechor Le’Abraham is uncertain as to whether one must have eaten bread to recite a Beracha, other authorities rule definitively that one who did not eat may not recite any of the Berachot. In fact, the work Hina Ve’hisda expresses astonishment over the practice observed by some to honor guests who did not eat with the recitation of Berachot. Halacha allows only those who ate a Ke’zayit or more of bread to recite the Sheba Berachot; this is the ruling of Hacham Ovadia Yosef, in his work Yabia Omer (vol. 3, Eben Ha’ezer 11:7).

The widespread custom is to recite the Sheba Berachot after the meal while seated, as to opposed to the recitation of the Sheba Berachot at the Hupa, which is done while standing. Although the recitation of Sheba Berachot requires the presence of a Minyan, and recitations of this nature are generally considered “Debarim She’bi’kdusha” (“matters of holiness”) and must be recited while standing, this general rule does not apply to the Sheba Berachot recited after the meal. The Sages did not want to burden all the guests by requiring them to stand for the recitation of the Berachot.

No interruption should be made in between Birkat Ha’mazon and the recitation of the Sheba Berachot. The Berachot should be recited immediately after the conclusion of Birkat Ha’mazon, without any interruption or delay. This is the ruling of Hacham Ovadia Yosef in his work Hazon Ovadia (1:48).

When all seven Berachot are recited, the Beracha of “Boreh Peri Ha’gefen” over the wine is recited after the other six Berachot. In situations requiring the recitation of only two Berachot (as discussed in a previous edition of Daily Halacha), then the Beracha of “Boreh Peri Ha’gefen” is recited first, followed by the Beracha of “Asher Bara.”

Summary: The Berachot at a Sheba Berachot celebration may be recited only by those who ate a Ke’zayit or more of bread at the meal. The Berachot are recited while seated, and should be recited immediately after Birkat Ha’mazon, without any interruption or delay in between.