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Birchas Hanehnin – Blessings of pleasures [i.e. food, drink, spices]: Blessings that are recited over pleasures, such as before and after eating food and drink, may be recited in either a standing or sitting position.[1] This is with exception to the after blessing of Birchas Hamazon[2], and according to some Poskim[3] also Meiyn Shalosh [i.e. Al Hamichya/Peiros/Gefen] and so is the practical directive[4], which must be recited in a sitting position. Furthermore, some Poskim[5] rule that it is proper for all blessing over food to be recited in a sitting position, whether a before blessing or an after blessing. [All the above is only with regards to whether the blessing should be recited in a sitting or standing position, however, regarding the eating, it should always be consumed in a sitting position.[6]]
Being Yotzei or Motzi a blessing:[7] By all Birchas Hanehnin, one cannot be Yotzei a blessing from another unless the group is Kavua together, which is defined as sitting together. Thus, if the listener remains standing, he does not fulfill his obligation being that he has excluded himself from the Kevius. This, however, only applies by a blessing said over a food for the sake of benefit and pleasure, and not when it is said over a Mitzvah for the sake of being Motzi others.[8] Furthermore, some Poskim[9] rule that one is specifically to stand when being Yotzei a blessing of a Mitzvah, and so is the custom by Shofar and Megillah. However, other Poskim[10] rule that it is not necessary for the listeners to stand for the recital of the blessing and so is the custom of certain communities.
| Summary Blessings before and after eating or drinking can generally be recited sitting or standing, except for Birchas Hamazon (and some say Meiyn Shalosh), which should be recited sitting. It is preferable to eat and drink while sitting, regardless of the position during the blessing. When joining a group to fulfill the obligation of a blessing (Birchas Hanehnin), all should be seated together for the blessing to count for everyone. |
| Blessing Type | Position for Blessing | Exceptions | Eating/Drinking Position | Yotzei/Motzi Rules | Customs/Opinions |
| Birchas Hanehnin (pleasures: food, drink, spices) | Sitting or standing | Birchas Hamazon, some say Meiyn Shalosh (must be sitting) | Should always be consumed sitting | Group must be sitting together; standing listener does not fulfill obligation | Some Poskim: all blessings over food should be recited sitting |
| Blessing over a Mitzvah (Motzi others) | Some say specifically to stand; others say not necessary | Custom by Shofar and Megillah to stand | Not specified | Standing not required in some communities | Customs vary by community |
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[1] Admur 183:13; Piskeiy Teshuvos 183:19
[2] Admur 183:12; Michaber 183:9; Rambam Hilchos Brachos 4:1; Brachos 51b
[3] 2nd opinion in Admur 183:13; Admur ibid; Opinion in Michaber 183:10; Mordechai Brachos 184; Rambam Hilchos Brachos 4:1; See Biur Hagr”a who implies that all Rishonim who hold one is t required to recite Meiyn Shalosh in the original place of eating, agree here as well that one is required to sit while reciting it.
[4] Admur ibid; Chesed Lealafim 183:10; Ben Ish Chaiy Chukas 4; Kaf Hachaim 183:51
[5] Chesed Lealafim 183:10; Ben Ish Chaiy Chukas 4; Kaf Hachaim 183:51; Piskeiy Teshuvos 183:19; See P”M Pesicha Koleles Brachos; 432 M”Z 1; Mur Uketiza 8 regarding things eaten and drunk in a sitting position; Meorer Yisheinim 26; Tosefes Chaim on Chayeh Adam 5
[6] See Ben Ish Chaiy Bereishis 2:29; Rav Poalim 2:45; Darkei Chaim Veshalom 278; Orchos Rabbeinu 3:222; See regarding Havdala: Admur 296:15; M”A 296:4; Mateh Moshe 509; Maharil 8; Miseches Derech Eretz Zuta; Kneses Hagedola 296:3; Elya Raba 296:14; Beir Heiytiv 170:16; M”B 296:6; Kaf Hachaim 296:42; Kitzur Halachos 296 footnote 14; See regarding health: Gittin 70a; Rambam Deios 4:3; Chupas Eliyahu Raba 3, in end of Reishis Chochma; Yifei Laleiv 155:6; Aruch Hashulchan O.C. 179:9; Y.D. 116:15; Kitzur SHU”A 32:5; Kaf Hachaim O.C. 155:25; Y.D. 116:90; Likkutei Maharich 1; See M”B 296:6; Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 25:1; Ein Lamo Michshol 1 p. 376
Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 25:1; Ein Lamo Michshol 1 p. 376
[7] Admur 213:1 and 5; Michaber 213:1; Tur 174; Rashi Brachos 43a; Tosafus Chulin 106b
[8] Admur 213:1 regarding Kiddush and Havdala; 213:5 regarding Haeish and Besamim; M”A 213:1; 273:13; Alef Lamagen 625:74; Kaf Hachaim 213:3
[9] Kaf Hachaim 585:1; Machatzis Hashekel on M”A 690:1 regarding Megillah; Beis Oved 690:9 brought in Kaf Hachaim 690:2; Shaar HaTziyon 690:1; Vetzaruch Iyun as to the opinion of Admur in all this, as in 585:2 Admur rules that the people fulfilling the Mitzvah of Tekiah do not have to stand, despite the fact that the person blowing the Shofar has to stand. No mention is made that they have to stand while reciting the blessing. Vetzaruch Iyun.
[10] Ben Ish Chaiy Netzavim 15 brought in kaf Hachaim 585:1; See also Yifei Laleiv 2:2; Kaf Hachaim 690:2 that so was custom of the Beis Keil shul in Jerusalem; Mikraeiy Kodesh brought in Piskeiy Teshuvos 690:1
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