Bentching Archives

Do I need to make a shehakol on a cup of water, if I already finished eating and got ready for Benching?

Full Question: I always drink water during a meal as per the Halacha. Halacha2go.com article #512: The Importance of Drinking along with Eating But usually I only remember after…

May I use a regular drinking cup or water bottle for Mayim Acharonim?

One may use a drinking cup for Mayim Acharonim. The same is for washing for bread. However, if the cup was used for Mayim Acharonim it should be rinsed…

Does the water from Mayim Acharonim need to be taken off the table before Bentching?

Many have the custom to remove the used Mayim Acharonim water from the table. The reason for this is because there is a "רוח רעה" - "negative spirit" in…

I forgot Retze in Bentching, do I need to Bentch again?

שאלה: לפי הגהת המרי"ל בשו"ע רבינו או"ח סי' קפ"ח האם אדם ששכח לומר רצה בברהמ"ז בסעודת שבת צריך לחזור לברך? תשובה: פשוט שחוזר ומברך. ולא בא מהרי״ל ורבינו…

If I forgot to say וזכרנו לטובה… in ברכת מעין שלש (Al Hamichia) on Rosh Chodesh, do I have to repeat the Brachah?

No. But if one remembers before saying Hashem's name at the end of the Brocha ("Boruch Ato..."), he should go back and mention "Vezochreinu..." and continue from there. …

Is one allowed to wash and bentch on “Mezonos” bread?

Due to the issues involved with Mezonos bread, I try not to eat it. However, at times, it is the only available option. I would prefer to wash and…

If I understand correctly, women do not take part in a Zimun for Bentching. But are they supposed to answer – “Yehi Shem…” “Baruch She’achalnu…”?

If there are three men who are obligated to Bentch B’Zimmun, the women are obligated to respond. They have the actual Mitzvah of Zimun and should not leave the…

Is there any reason why woman don’t do Mayim Achronim?

Strictly speaking, there is no difference between men and women. Nonetheless, the custom has developed that woman are lenient in this matter. The suggested explanation for the leniency among women…

האם יש ענין לומר שיר המעלות (לפני ברכת המזון) בכל יום, גם כשאומרים תחנון (האם היתה כזאת הנהגה בתומכי תמימים)?

המפורש בסידור אדה״ז - לומר על נהרות בבל ביום שאומרים בו תחנון - ידוע. וכ״ה בכל סידורי חב״ד שהודפסו ע״י ובפיקוח רבותינו נשיאינו. וכ״ה כהוראה למעשה בהיום יום יו״ד…

If one washed and ate only a tiny piece of bread (they did not like the bread) is one supposed to say Birchas Hamazon? If not, what does one Bentch? (They ate other foods in this meal as well).

All articles of food combine to make up a Kazayis. So, if you ate half a Kazayis of something that requires the after-Brachah, Borei Nefashos Rabbos, and then you ate another half a Kazayis…

If I am in a room with other people while they are Bentching, after the majority of them have finished, is it problem to talk?

If you are not part of a Mezuman, and you are not disturbing the others, there is no issue with talking. See here.

Must I hear myself while I Bentch? What if I am at a wedding and the music is very loud?

See here for answer. Sources: מקורות: חסל״א הובא בכה״ח סב, ז. מנחת יהודה הו״ד בשפ״ח שמות ח, ח. הליכות שלמה כב, ד. וראה העמק שאלה שאילתות ואתחנן קמג שהוכיח…

Can a person who has eaten Shehakol with two people who have washed complete a Zimun?

Yes, if he ate at the same table with them. Nonetheless, Lechatchila one should try to get him to wash and have a Kezayis bread. However, if he doesn’t want…