Question
During Sheva Brachos, is it permitted to recite the blessing of Asher Bara if there is no minyan? We were conducting Sheva Brachos over Yom Tov at the end of a meal but were unable to gather a minyan of ten men. We had only seven men who had washed for the meal. Someone present mentioned that he had heard that, even without ten men, one may recite one of the seven blessings—specifically, the final blessing of Asher Bara. We were unsure and therefore did not recite it. Is this correct? Can you please clarify?
Answer
Yes. The final blessing—known as Asher Bara (Asher Bara Sasson V’simcha)—may indeed be recited throughout the seven days of Sheva Brachos even without a minyan, provided that there are at least three men present who participated in the meal (including, of course, the chassan and kallah) and who washed and ate bread. There is no requirement of ten men for the recitation of Asher Bara. Similarly, there is no requirement of panim chadashos for this blessing. Accordingly, in the scenario described, you could—and should—have recited the blessing of Asher Bara, even without a minyan.
How its done: The order followed is similar to that of all Sheva Brachos. Thus, the blessing of Asher Bara is recited after Bentching on a second cup of wine, separate from the Kos Shel Bracha used for the zimun. It is then followed by Borei Peri Hagafen on the first cup, from which the mezamein drinks a Revius, after which it is given to the chassan and kallah to drink a Revius once the contents of the two cups have been mixed.
Explanation
It is a well-established ruling that in order to recite the full set of Sheva Brachos, a minyan of ten men is required. In addition, at certain meals (such as weekday meals after the wedding), the presence of panim chadashos is also necessary. However, these requirements apply specifically when reciting all seven blessings. When it comes to reciting only the final blessing of Asher Bara, the halachah is different:
- Panim chadashos are not required according to all opinions.
- A minyan of ten men is not required.
Many poskim rule that it is sufficient to have a zimun of three men in order to recite Asher Bara, although there are some who disagree. Practically speaking, the accepted ruling follows the more lenient view—that three men suffice.
Therefore, when a minyan is unavailable, one should still recite the blessing of Asher Bara as long as there are at least three men who participated in the meal.
There is, however, an additional discussion among the poskim regarding whether all three men of the zimun must have washed on bread, or whether it suffices if only two washed on bread and a third participant ate other foods, as long as a zimun can be formed. Practically, it is proper to be stringent in this matter and ensure that all three men participating in the zimun have washed on bread.
Sources:
See regarding the requirement of ten men for reciting the full Sheva Brachos: Michaber 62:4; Birchas Habayis 62:19
See regarding the view that only three men are required for reciting Asher Bara: Michaber and Rama 62:4; Ran Kesubos 3a; Rosh Kesubos 1:13; Chelkas Mechokeik 62:4; Nachlas Tzevi 62:7; Implication of Rambam Brachos 2:10; Birchas Habayis 62:19; Nitei Gavriel 101:11
See the stringent opinions that require ten men even for Asher Bara: Ramban, brought in Ran ibid; Bach 62:12, brought in Nachlas Tzevi 62:7, that today the custom is like Ramban; Taz 62:2 in name of Maharal of Prague in length
See regarding whether a regular zimun of three suffices, or whether all three must have washed on bread: Sova Semachos 10:2; Beis Chasanim 10:3; Nitei Gavriel 101:12
See regarding the ruling that panim chadashos are not required for the recitation of Asher Bara: Michaber 62:7; Nachlas Tzevi 62:6; Taz 62:2 in name of Maharal of Prague; Kesubos 8a; Birchas Habayis 62:13 and 19;
See regarding saying Asher Bara on a separate cup: Yeish Omrim in Rama E.H. 62:9; Darkei Moshe 62:12 that good to be Machmir even though the Minhag is not so; Chelkas Mechokeik 62:14 in name of Bach 62:12 that so is custom; Beis Shmuel 62:12 in name of Bach; Derech Hachaim; Chochmas Adam 129:7; Kitzur SHU”A 149:3; Birchas Habayis 62:19; Nitei Gavriel 101:13-14