Reciting a berachah acharonah for someone else

Hi,

Where two people ate food that requires the same closing berachah acharonah, one of them may recite this berachah on behalf of the other, with the other listening and responding 'Amen'. This is true even where their respective foods required a different opening berachah rishonah, such as where one ate cherries and the other ate lettuce.

(Rivivot Ephraim 1:151:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The berachah on besamim, when one has a cold

Hi,

Does one recite the berachah on besamim at Havdalah, if he cannot smell them due to a cold?

One who cannot smell should not recite a berachah on besamim, even if he is reciting Havdalah on behalf of a group; the others in the group should recite the berachah for themselves, before they smell the besamim.

If some in the group are unable to recite a berachah, then the leader should recite the berachah on their behalf despite his cold. He should only do so after drinking the wine from Havdalah, though.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 297:5; Har Tzvi Orach Chaim 1:37; Mishneh Halachos 15:89; Shemirat Shabbat k'Hilchatah 61:5)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Berachot without belief

Hi,

A berachah is invalid if it is recited by someone who rejects the existence of Gd or the validity of Torah. Therefore, his berachah on food, for example, could not fulfill the obligation of a listener.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 2:50)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Reciting a blessing on behalf of others

Hi,

One who is not eating may not recite a berachah to fulfill the obligation for those who are eating, even if those others are incapable of reciting the berachah themselves.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 2:49)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Who says Tefilat haDerech?

Hi,

Although we say regarding certain prayers, 'ברב עם הדרת מלך,' that there is greater honor for Gd when people perform mitzvot in unison, Tefilat haDerech is different in that it is a personal request for aid. Therefore, each person should recite Tefilat haDerech personally.

Those who are not capable of reciting the words may hear them from others and reply Amen.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 193:1; Mishneh Berurah 193:5)

May we soon see the rebuilding of the Beit haMikdash,
Mordechai