5. Who is obligated to recite blessings:

Women: Both men and women [including a woman who is a Nida[1]] are obligated in the recital blessings prior and post eating a food and prior to benefiting one of the benefits that a blessing was instituted for. They are likewise obligated in Birchas Hamitzvos, in those mitzvah’s that they are obligated to fulfill as will be explained in volume 2. They are likewise obligated in Birchas Hashachar as we explained in our Sefer “Awaking like a Jew” chapter 8.

Children:[2] Once the child is old enough to understand the concept of a blessing, that he is blessing G-d, then one is obligated to educate him to say the blessing prior to eating.[3] This is approximately from age 6 or seven.[4] Or, age 4 or 5.[5] Nonetheless, some are accustomed to begin educating the child as soon as he knows how to say the correct blessings[6], and some are accustomed to educating the child the moment he begins speaking.[7]

Converts: Converts are required to recite blessings just like all other Jews. Nonetheless, there is some discussion amongst the Poskim[8] with regards to the exact wording that is to be said by certain blessings that contain the word “Avoseinu” in their wording, as will be explained in volume 2 in the chapter dealing with the blessings over Mitzvah’s. Likewise, there is discussion if they may recite the blessing of Shelo Asani Goy, and Asher Bachar Banu in Birchas Hatorah, as we explained in our Sefer “Awaking like a Jew” chapter 8-9. [Practically a convert who chooses to recite the regular wording like everyone else s by each of the above blessings has upon whom to rely.]

Ages for Educating a Child to Say Blessings

Age	Description
4–5 years	Some begin educating the child to say blessings as soon as they can recite the correct words.
6–7 years	Commonly viewed as the age when a child understands the concept of blessing and is obligated to be educated before eating.
When beginning to speak	Some start educating the child about blessings as soon as they begin to speak, regardless of full understanding.

 

[1] See regarding the custom of some women to not recite blessing when a Nida, and its negation: Admur 88:2; M”A 88:2; Rama 88:1; Darkei Moshe 88:1; Y.D. 195:8; Ravayah; Hagahos Maimanis; Binyamon Zev; Kaf Hachaim 88:10;  Darkei Teshuvah Y.D. 195:58; Shulchan Melachim Nida 4; Yalkut Hagershoni 658:5; Nitei Gavriel 41:3

[2] See Otzer Habrachos 3:35; Piskeiy Teshuvos 202 footnote 9; See regarding Birchas Hamazon: Admur 343:2 regarding all positive commands; 186:3 and 187:4 regarding Birchas Hamazon; Michaber 186:2 “A child is Rabbinically obligate din Birchas Hamazon in order to educate him”; M”A 187; Bach 192; Mishneh Brachos 20a “Women, children, and slaves are obligated in the Mitzvah of …Birchas Hamazon.”

[3] Maharam Chalva 141

[4] M”B 269:1

[5] Makor Chaim of Chavos Yair 269

[6] Ashrei Ish 1:221; Doleh Umashkeh 385

[7] Yesod Veshoresh HavodaShaar 7:10

[8] Some Poskim  rule a convert is to say the blessing of “Sheasa Nissim Liyisrael”. If, however, he said “Laavoseinu”, he has nevertheless fulfilled his obligation. [Kitzur SHU”A 139:12] Others , however, rule that even initially a convert may choose to say the blessing of Sheasa Nissim Laavoseinu. [Igros Harambam 9; Olas Shabbos 677:1; Elya Raba 677:2; Peri Chadash; M”B 675:14; Kaf Hachaim 677:4]