Question:
What are Halachos relevant to Sheva Brochas?
Answer:
The newly married couple traditionally honors attendees with appointing them to recite the Sheva Brochas. Because these blessings are meant especially for the (bride and) groom, it is better that the groom himself not recite them and for the person reciting the blessings to face the couple. However, if nobody else present is able to say the brochas, the groom may do so.
Many believe that the same person must recite all of the brochas, but the near-universal practice is to permit dividing the brochas among various people, especially because there are usually several people who the family wants to honor. Rav Moshe Feinstein notes that all those reciting the brochas should still make sure to listen and say amen to all of the others.
The order of the brochas is not essential, meaning that if one made a mistake and skipped a brocha, he should recite the brocha that was skipped.
One needs a Minyan to the sheva brochas, whether under the chuppah or during the week after. The Gemara 7b-8a says that Birkas Chatanim needs a Minyan, based either upon the fact that Boaz assembled people at his marriage to Rus (Rus 4:11-12)
This minyan does not have to be standing under the actual chuppah, but must be able to hear the brochas directly and not through a microphone.
If only the final brocha of “Asher Bora” will be recited, only three men need to have joined the meal and be present at Birkas Hamazon.If the Sheva Brochas begun while a minyan was present, but then some of the people left before all of the brochas were recited, they may still continue to recite the remaining brochas.
If there is no minyan at the chuppah, some say that the couple should delay the marriage until they are able to find one while others believe that it is better to get married as planned and then make the brochas later.The groom is included in the minyan, as are any of his relatives, the mesader kiddushin, and the eidei kiddushin.
Women and boys under Bar Mitzvah do not count towards the Minyan for sheva brochas.Even under the chuppah (where the brochas are not recited with Birkas haMazon), the Sheva Brochas should be recited over a cup of wine. If wine is not available, another alcoholic beverage can be used.
There is a dispute as to whether or not the brochas can be recited under the chuppah if there is no cup of wine or similar drink. Tashbetz 3:65 disputes the requirement to have a cup of wine as it is not mentioned in the Gemara, but Be’er Heitev 62:3 quotes the Rosh and Tur who imply that the cup is necessary. Aruch Hashulchan 62:7 rules that one must use a cup.
Regarding the cup under the chuppah, those reciting the brochas do not need to drink from the cup, but the bride and groom should at least taste from it.When making Sheva Brochas after a meal, the Rama writes that two cups of wine should be used: one for bentching, and the other for the six brochas made for the couple. However, not everyone agrees to this ruling, and the Shulchan Aruch writes that the custom is to use one cup. This may be relied upon if only one cup of wine is available.
After reading the kesubah, all seven brochas are recited under the chuppah, regardless of the status of the bride and groom as long as 10 Jewish men are present.The custom has developed in almost all Jewish communities for these brochas to be recited while the bride and groom are under the chuppah, but before entering the yichud room. If the brochas were not recited beforehand, they can still be recited several days later.A new cup of wine should be used and not the one already used for Birkas Eirusin. If one is using the same cup it must be refilled.Some Poskim hold that everyone in the audience must stand for the Sheva Brachos recited under the Chuppah. |