Chapter 6: Baruch Hu Uvrach Shemo

1. The Mitzvah:

Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo is a customary response when hearing a blessing, though it was not instituted by the Sages. It is mainly recited upon hearing Hashem’s name in blessings, with some exceptions and variations in custom, such as in Birchas Kohanim and certain mitzvah blessings. If one is fulfilling an obligation through the blessing, they should not respond with Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo. Care should be taken to pronounce each word correctly and to answer immediately after hearing Hashem’s name, but not while the name is being pronounced. If responding would cause one to miss the end of the blessing, it is better to remain silent.

Answering Amen to a blessing in vain: See Chapter 3 Halacha 3!

• Example: When Moshe is called up to the Torah and recites the blessing, those listening, including Shlomo and Rivka, respond “Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo” after hearing Hashem’s name.
• Example: If Sarah hears her friend Devorah recite a blessing over food that she herself is not eating, it is customary for Sarah to answer “Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo” when Hashem’s name is mentioned.
• Example: If Yitzchak is in the middle of a part of davening where interruptions are forbidden, or if Nechama is fulfilling her obligation (Yotzei) by hearing a blessing from another (such as during Kiddush or Havdalah), they should not answer “Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo.”
• Example: If the person saying the blessing, for example, Levi, is reciting it quickly and Shoshana might miss saying “Amen” with the congregation by responding “Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo,” it is better for her to remain silent.

2. Answering Baruch Uvaruch Shemo when one is in middle of Davening:

One should not answer “Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo” during prohibited parts of prayer, such as from Baruch Sheamar until after Shemoneh Esrei, even between sections. Those engaged in Torah study are not required to interrupt to say “Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo” or “Amen” upon hearing a blessing.

• Example: If Yitzchak is in the middle of a part of davening where interruptions are forbidden, they should not answer “Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo.”
• Example: When Yehuda is actively learning Torah, he is not obligated to interrupt to say “Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo” upon hearing Hashem’s name in a blessing.

3. Answering Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo to a blessing that one is being Yotzei:

If someone is hearing a blessing in order to fulfill their own obligation (such as Kiddush or Havdalah), they should not respond “Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo” when Hashem’s name is mentioned. Doing so can invalidate their fulfillment of the blessing. If this response is mistakenly said, ideally the blessing should be heard again from someone else, but if not possible, they have still fulfilled their obligation and do not need to repeat the blessing.

• Example: If Rachel is listening to her friend recite Kiddush and intends to fulfill her own obligation by listening, she should not answer “Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo” during the blessing. If she does say it by mistake, she should try to hear Kiddush again, but if she cannot, she still fulfills the mitzvah.