Panim Chadashos - Bar Mitzvah Age

Q. Can my neighbor’s bar mitzvah age son qualify as Panim Chadashos?

A. According to Shulchan Aruch (EH 62:7), Panim Chadashos mandate Sheva Berachos, since the new guests increase the simcha of the Chassan and Kallah. Shulchan Aruch (EH 62:8) adds that according to many opinions the Panim Chadashos must be important enough that extra food would be prepared in their honor. The Chelkas Mechokek (EH 62:13) explains that it is not necessary to actually cook additional food for the Panim Chadashos. It is enough that the guests are dignified individuals and it would be fitting to prepare extra for them. However, Rav Belsky zt”l (Shulchan HaLevi 27:22) points out that if one actually prepared extra food in honor of the guest, even if he is not a dignified individual, this would also qualify. Though it is best to either invite important guests or to cook extra for the guest, Rav Belsky writes that even if one did neither, and even if the guest seemingly does not add to the simcha, the custom is to accept all Panim Chadashos. One may even pull a stranger off the street and ask him to join so that Sheva Berachos can be said. Different explanations are offered by poskim to explain this. Some say that we rely on the Rambam that does not require important guests for Panim Chadosh. Teshuvos V’Hanhagos (4:287) say that even unimportant guests are acceptable if it is accompanied with divrei torah. (Presumably, Divrei Torah with even a regular guest make the meal special.) The Ben Ish Chai implies that the need for important guests is just a lichatchila, but not mandatory. One exception to this is that an unwanted guest cannot qualify as Panim Chadashos (Rav Poalim EH 4:6).

Today, January 21, 2022 (י”ט שבט תשפ״ב)

is the sixth yahrzheit of Rav Belsky, zt”l.

May today's learning be a zechus l'aliyas nishmaso.