6171 – The Blessing Guest!
Q. Dear Rabbeinu Shalit"a, Shalom, If a traveling Jew is invited to a free Shabbat Se'udah in a shul, should he recite the blessing of the guest? ברכת האורח?
If correct, what is the nusach of the blessing that he should recite? Thanks.
A. The Talmud (Berachot 46a), states that a guest is supposed to include a special blessing for his host when he recites Birkas Hamazon. this practice is an expression of gratitude designed to invoke Hashem’s blessings, wealth, and spiritual success upon the person or family providing the hospitality. The Poskim mention that the source is from the pasuk, V'achalta, v'savata, u'verachta et Hashem Elohecha. This blessing is often referred to as the Birkas Oraiach – the Guest’s Blessing.
Although most sidurim only include the blessing for one invited into a friend or neighbors house, it stands to reason that it is proper to also bless the Shul and the leaders that invited to the meal or kiddush in shul. One can recite his own correct words.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a, and Horav Dovid Bartfeld consulting, Horav Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz Shlit’a
Reviewed by: Hagaon Rav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
Published: November 13, 2026