DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 2.19 MB)
The Obligation of Zimun Before Birkat Ha’mazon

When three people eat bread together, they are required to recite the introductory Zimun before Birkat Ha’mazon. The concept of Zimun is that we prepare ourselves for the Misva of Birkat Ha’mazon. When it comes to other Misvot, we prepare for the Misva act by reciting a Beracha. For example, we recite a Beracha before putting on Tefillin, and we recite a Beracha before shaking the Lulab. The Misva of Birkat Ha’mazon, however, is itself a series of Berachot, and so we need something else to prepare us. We therefore conduct a Zimun to prepare ourselves for the Misva of Birkat Ha’mazon.

Different customs exist as to the precise text of the Zimun. The accepted text (as practiced by Hacham Baruch Ben-Haim) is that of the Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909), according to which the leader begins by announcing, "Hab Lan Ve’nibrich Le’Malka Ela-ha Kadisha." The others then respond, "Shamayim." The leader declares at that point, "Bi’rshut Malka Ela-ha Kadisha," and the others again respond, "Shamayim." Then the leader proceeds with "Nebarech She’achalnu," and if ten people are reciting Birkat Ha’mazon together, he recites "Nebarech Elo-henu She’achalnu." On certain occasions, the leader makes certain additions after he announces, "Bi'rshut Malka Ela-ha Kadisha." On Shabbat, he adds, "U’bi’rshut Shabbat Malketa"; on Yom Tob, he adds, "U’bi’rshut Yoma Taba." On Sukkot, he adds the name of that day’s Ushpizin.

At a Sheba Berachot, the leader says, "Nebarech Elo-henu She’ha’simha Bi’m’ono…" Interestingly, the Yam Shel Shelomo (Rav Shlomo Luria, 1510-1574) considered instituting this addition also at a Siyum Masechet, but he ultimately changed his mind, and so this text is not recited at a Siyum.

Summary: When three or more people ate bread together, they are required to recite the introductory Zimun before Birkat Ha’mazon. The proper text is as follows:

Leader: "Hab Lan Ve’nibrich Le’Malka Ela-ha Kadisha."
Others: "Shamayim."
Leader: "Bi’rshut Malka Ela-ha Kadisha."
Others: "Shamayim."
Leader: "Nebarech She’achalnu…"
Others: "Baruch She’achalnu…"

If ten or more people recite the Zimun, the word "Elo-henu" is added after "Nebarech" and "Baruch."

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Yom Kippur- Halachot of the Final Meal Before Yom Kippur; Using Pills to Alleviate the Effects of Fasting
Yom Kippur – Candle Lighting
Laws and Customs of Kapparot
Must Pregnant Women Fast on Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur – Wearing Gold Jewelry
Yom Kippur – Guidelines for Ill Patients Who Need to Eat
Ereb Yom Kippur – Immersing in a Mikveh; Wearing Gold Jewelry; Preparing the Home
Yom Kippur – Customs Relevant to the Musaf Prayer
Should Children Fast on Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur- How Much Should a Sick Person Eat on Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur: Lighting Candles
The Misva to Eat on Ereb Yom Kippur
Learning Torah on Yom Kippur Night
Yom Kippur – Guidelines for One Who Needs to Drink
May the Kohanim Wash Their Hands for Birkat Kohanim on Yom Kippur?
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found