Question:

In the event that I forgot to recite Al Hanissim prior to Veal Kulam but remembered prior to saying Hashems name in the blessing of Hatov Shimcha, what should I do? How should I proceed? Should I say it and then go back to Ve’al Kulam, or should I say it and continue from where I left off?

Answer:
One should always return to the beginning of the paragraph of Ve’al Kulam, however, based on the rulings of Admur, if he already recited the words Hakeil Yeshuaseinu then he is to finish the sentence and say veal Hanissim in the area that he remembers and then continue from Baruch Ata Hashem.

Explanation:

If one remembered before reciting Hashem’s name in the blessing of “Hatov Shimcha” that he did not recite Al Hanissim, then he is to return and recite Al Hanissim. Now, regarding from where one should continue after its conclusion we find two approaches:

• If he remembered prior to reciting the words Hakeil Yeshuaseinu then he is to stop and say Al Hanissim and repeat from Vial Kulam. If, however, he already recited the words Hakeil Yeshuaseinu then he is to [finish the sentence and] say it in the area that he remembers and then continue from Baruch Ata Hashem. One should not return to the beginning of the paragraph of Ve’al Kulam in order not to repeat Hashem’s name unnecessarily.
• One should always return to the beginning of the paragraph of Ve’al Kulam even if he remembered after saying the words Baruch Ata, but prior to saying the name of a Hashem in the concluding blessing. The reason for this is because the concept of saying God’s name in vain does not apply when it is said in a way of prayer and hence there is no issue with repeating God’s name in the words Hakeil Yeshuaseinu.

Sources:

Approach 1: See Mateh Efraim 582:10 [who questions ruling of P”M in approach 2]; Admur 582:6 regarding Zachreinu; Hiskashrus 1025

Approach 2: P”M 114 A”A 8; 582 A”A4; Biur Halacha 114:6; Alef Hamagen on Mateh Efraim ibid; Piskeiy Teshuvos 682:2; Nitei Gavriel 48:1; See M”B 582:16 and other Poskim there, who rule that one may repeat from the original area where Zachreinu is recited, and in this case as well one would always return to the words of Ve’al Hakol.