6178– The Best Blessings of The Best Guest!
See question 6171 above – Q. When guest are invited and attend a meal, who is supposed to say the Birkas Oraiach? (blessing for the guest).
A. Poskim write that in earlier times, the leader of the zimun would bentch aloud and the other diners fulfilled their obligation by listening to his recital. When the zimun was performed in that manner, only the leader would recite the Birkas Oraiach. Therefore, it was appropriate to honor one of the guests to lead the zimun because if the host led the zimun, he would forgo this blessing. However, nowadays, when each person bentches by himself, every guest should recite the Birkas Oraiach.
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