From the Rav’s Desk: Is It Permitted for Goyim to Recite Brachos with Hashem’s name Prior to Eating and drinking?

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Is It Permitted for Goyim to Recite Brachos with Hashem’s name Prior to Eating and drinking?

 

Question:
 My name is Michael, and I live in Austin, Texas. As someone who was raised in a secular Christian family but has come to deeply value the teachings of the Seven Noahide Laws, I now strive to incorporate them into my daily life. I’m passionate about learning and connecting with God in meaningful ways, and I’ve joined several online communities for Noahide learners. Recently, the discussion came up on the group as to whether a Gentile who is sincerely following the Seven Noahide Laws, is permitted to recite blessings with Hashem’s name before eating and drinking in the original Hebrew? I want to honor God properly, and I’m unsure whether this practice is appropriate for someone in my position, as I know there are several limitations for gentiles vis a vis learning topics of Torah that are not relevant to my observance, as the Rabbi on the group explained. Is saying a blessing before eating similarly reserved only for Jews, or can it be said also by Gentiles who abide to the seven Noahide laws? I’d appreciate guidance on this matter on behalf of myself and the members of our chat group.

Answer:
Yes, it is permitted and even encouraged for monotheistic Gentiles to recite blessings prior to eating foods and beverages, and they may choose to recite it even in the original Hebrew, if they understand the wording.

 

Explanation:
There is nothing inherently wrong with a human being thanking God before eating and drinking, even if they are not obligated to do so. On the contrary, it is considered virtuous and praiseworthy to express gratitude to the Creator, even if not an obligation. In fact, we find a discussion amongst the Mefarshim as to why Gentiles are not obligated to recite blessings prior to eating being that it is a logical obligation to thank G-d before eating. Furthermore, the Poskim rule that if one hears such a blessing from a Gentile who is monotheistic in his beliefs, they should respond with “Amen.” This applies even if they say the blessing in the original Hebrew just like a Jew. Thus, for example, if a sincere Noahide Gentile recites the blessing before eating bread in Hebrew: “Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech HaOlam, ha-motzi lechem min ha’aretz”, a Jew who hears the entire blessing is to answer “Amen.” Now, while certain authorities maintain that it is prohibited to respond “Amen” after hearing a blessing recited by a Gentile, this does not inherently imply that the Gentile is forbidden from reciting blessings. Furthermore, it should be noted that prevailing opinion does not follow this restrictive view.

To add from a historical standpoint, the Midrash teaches us that our forefather Avraham would educate his guests to recite blessings to God after they ate a meal. If they declined to recite these blessings, he would require payment for the meal. The exact wording of the blessings that Avraham taught them to say was “Baruch Keil Olam Sheachalnu Mishelo”

As for why a Gentile reciting a blessing despite lack of obligation does not constitute a blessing in vain, this is because the definition of a blessing in vain is limited to one who says a blessing in a belittling manner, or without any need or purpose. This is in contrast to saying the blessing for the need and purpose of thanking God at the time of eating. Furthermore, there is no reason to assume that the limitations of the Torah and sages regarding saying a blessing in vain would apply likewise to a Gentile.

Practical Note

When reciting blessings, understanding the words is essential because the primary purpose of a blessing is conscious gratitude. Therefore:

  • If a Gentile understands Hebrew, they may recite the blessing in its original Hebrew form.
  • If they do not understand Hebrew, they should recite the blessing in English (or their native language) so that the words carry meaning and intention.

The essence of a blessing lies in heartfelt acknowledgment of God’s kindness, not in the language alone.

Sources:

Sheva Mitzvos Hashem [Winer] pp. 75-77

See regarding a Gentile not being obligated to recite blessings before eating: Pnei Yehosua on Brachos 35a; Tzelach Hashaleim on Brachos ibid

See regarding answering Amen to the blessing of a Gentile: Admur 215:2 “If a gentile recited a blessing amongst one the blessings instituted by the Sages one is to answer Amen if he heard the entire blessing from his mouth.” Rama 215:2; Rabbeinu Yonah Brachos 51b; Yerushalmi; Riaz in Shiltei Giborim ibid; Meiri ibid

  • Other opinions: Some Poskim rule one is never to answer Amen after the blessing of a gentile. [Kesef Mishneh in opinion of Rambam; Bach 215; brought in M”A 215/3; Mateh Yosef, P”M 215 A”A 3 and Kaf Hachaim 215/14 that so is the ruling Michaber who omitted the ruling of the Rama] However, one may answer Amen after a Yishmaeili, being they do not serve idolatry. [Maharikash; Kaf Hachaim 215/15]

See regarding that Avraham would educate his guests to recite blessings: Midrash Raba Bereishis Parsha 54; Sotah 10b

See regarding reciting the blessing in a language that one understands: See Admur 185:1; 206:4; Michaber 185:1; 206:3; Rambam Brachos 1:6; Brachos 40b; Mishneh Sota 32a; Encyclopedia Talmudit Vol. 4 Erech Berachos pp. 299

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.