Q&A from the Bais HaVaad Halacha Hotline

Harachaman Hu Yakim

September 19, 2024

Q Why do we say the Harachaman supplications at the end of Birkas Hamazon? Is their recitation mandatory?

A The first three brachos of bentching are a chiyuv de’Oreisa; the fourth is a chiyuv deRabanan. The tfilos that follow are not a chiyuv, but an ancient minhag, and one is obligated to uphold minhagei Yisrael. They are mentioned in the works of the Geonim (Siddur Rav Amram, Hil. Seudah) and the early Rishonim (see Rabeinu Tam’s Sefer Hayashar 131) and are later cited by the Tur (O.C. 189).

The Tur initially questions the idea of adding to Birkas Hamazon, but he ultimately endorses it, because the Gemara (Brachos 46a) instructs a guest to add a tfilah for his host.

Birkas Hamazon was chosen for these tfilos because its recitation creates an eis ratzon (auspicious time), so the opportunity should be utilized for prayer and supplication (see sources in Piskei Teshuvos 189:2).

The Ben Ish Chai (Torah Lishmah 51) writes that one may add his own personal Harachaman, e.g., a prayer that he should be able to repay all his debts.

If you are in a rush, you may skip or abbreviate the Harachamans (Yad Efrayim O.C. 192), but realize that you are forgoing an eis ratzon. Even when in a rush, you should make sure to at least say the passage of “oseh shalom” (Piskei Teshuvos ibid.).

Because the Harachamans are an established, organized tfilah, one should not interrupt in middle, except to say a davar shebikdushah or greet a person that should be honored. Before doing so, it is advisable to say “oseh shalom…” (Piskei Teshuvos 183:16).

It is the correct practice to answer “amein” to each Harachaman heard from another person (Magein Avraham 215:3), but this is not obligatory (see Yechaveh Da’as 3:9, citing the Netziv).