For the week ending 29 November 2025 / 9 Kislev 5786
Taamei Hamitzvos - The Introduction and the Conclusion of Birkas Hamazon
In last week’s article we discussed the structure of the four blessings of Birkas HaMazon. We will now focus on the prefatory zimun (invitation) and the concluding series of requests, each one beginning with the word “HaRachaman” - “ the Merciful One”.
When a group consisting of three or more men dine together, one of them invites the other participants to join him in reciting Birkas HaMazon. This is known as ‘zimun’ is done in order to unite their individual blessings into a single communal one, in line with the dictum “berov am hadras melech” — a king’s glory is apparent in a multitude of people (Ritva to Berachos 45a). Moreover, when people call to each other to praise Hashem, the praise is magnified (Kol Bo §25). This invitation is even more important when ten men dine together, ten constituting a community for religious purposes, and it conveys more honor to Hashem. The Kabbalists elaborate on the importance of a zimun and advise endeavoring to eat in a group of at least three — and ideally ten — in order to obligate oneself to fulfill this Mitzvah (Ben Ish Chai, Pinchas, citing Arizal).
Meiri gives a simpler explanation: the invitation to recite Birkas HaMazon reminds and “warns” the diners, who were until now focused on their food, to focus on the sacred words of the blessings (Berachos ibid.; see also Yeshuas Daniel 192:1). This is well understood in light of Aruch’s translation of the word zimun,“make ready.”
It is customary to append to Birkas HaMazon a series of requests that begin with “HaRachaman” - “ the Merciful One”. Simply understood, having asked Hashem for continued mercy in general terms in the blessings of Birkas HaMazon, it is then appropriate to ask for additional mercy regarding specific matters, which we introduce with the word HaRachaman to appeal to Hashem’s mercy.
The Chafetz Chaim (Ki Savo) explains that whenever we complete a Mitzvah, it is a time of favor for prayer. Having completed this all-important Mitzvah of Birkas HaMazon, we take the opportunity to ask for all that we need, up to and including the coming of mashiach.
After the HaRachaman requests, we ask Hashem to bless us with peace because mashiach will bring peace to the world, and because all the blessings that Hashem grants us are useful to us only if we can enjoy them peacefully (Ri ben Yakar). It later became customary to add a paragraph of verses that begin with the word Y’ru. Continuing the theme of Birkas HaMazon, these verses praise Hashem’s benevolence and express how He can always be trusted to provide for us and take care of us.
Some of the sources cited here were drawn from an extensive article on the topic by R’ Shmuel Zlotnik in Alibah D’Hilchasa #33, pg. 42-45.
When a group consisting of three or more men dine together, one of them invites the other participants to join him in reciting Birkas HaMazon. This is known as ‘zimun’ is done in order to unite their individual blessings into a single communal one, in line with the dictum “berov am hadras melech” — a king’s glory is apparent in a multitude of people (Ritva to Berachos 45a). Moreover, when people call to each other to praise Hashem, the praise is magnified (Kol Bo §25). This invitation is even more important when ten men dine together, ten constituting a community for religious purposes, and it conveys more honor to Hashem. The Kabbalists elaborate on the importance of a zimun and advise endeavoring to eat in a group of at least three — and ideally ten — in order to obligate oneself to fulfill this Mitzvah (Ben Ish Chai, Pinchas, citing Arizal).
Meiri gives a simpler explanation: the invitation to recite Birkas HaMazon reminds and “warns” the diners, who were until now focused on their food, to focus on the sacred words of the blessings (Berachos ibid.; see also Yeshuas Daniel 192:1). This is well understood in light of Aruch’s translation of the word zimun,“make ready.”
It is customary to append to Birkas HaMazon a series of requests that begin with “HaRachaman” - “ the Merciful One”. Simply understood, having asked Hashem for continued mercy in general terms in the blessings of Birkas HaMazon, it is then appropriate to ask for additional mercy regarding specific matters, which we introduce with the word HaRachaman to appeal to Hashem’s mercy.
The Chafetz Chaim (Ki Savo) explains that whenever we complete a Mitzvah, it is a time of favor for prayer. Having completed this all-important Mitzvah of Birkas HaMazon, we take the opportunity to ask for all that we need, up to and including the coming of mashiach.
After the HaRachaman requests, we ask Hashem to bless us with peace because mashiach will bring peace to the world, and because all the blessings that Hashem grants us are useful to us only if we can enjoy them peacefully (Ri ben Yakar). It later became customary to add a paragraph of verses that begin with the word Y’ru. Continuing the theme of Birkas HaMazon, these verses praise Hashem’s benevolence and express how He can always be trusted to provide for us and take care of us.
Some of the sources cited here were drawn from an extensive article on the topic by R’ Shmuel Zlotnik in Alibah D’Hilchasa #33, pg. 42-45.
