What is the Mitzvah of Zimun?

The mitzvah of zimun is a rabbinic requirement that three or more men who ate bread together must join together for bentching (the blessing recited after the meal). The leader proclaims his intent to bless Hashem, and the others join in and respond that Hashem is blessed. This is hinted to in the verse (Devarim 32:3) “When I call out the name of Hashem, ascribe greatness to our G-d.” The leader then proceeds to recite the first blessing of bentching aloud, while the others follow along quietly word by word. The leader pauses at the end of the blessing to let everyone finish and then recites the end of the blessing out loud so that everyone can answer Amein (Mishnah Berurah 183:28).

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.