Sheva Brachot Quick Reference Guide

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Seven Blessings

Sheva Brachot Quick Reference Guide

Quick Guide to Requirements for Reciting Sheva Brachot

1. Sheva Brachot are recited for seven days when either the bride or groom have not been previously married. 2. The day of the wedding is considered as the first of the seven days. 3. When both the bride and the bridegroom have been previously married, Sheva Brachot are recited only at the first meal after the wedding. 4. If the wedding meal takes place after sunset, the following day is considered the first of the seven days. 5. It is preferable that Sheva Brachot be recited each day, therefore the bride and groom should travel only to those places where they will be recited. 6. The meal at which Sheva Brachot are to be recited should be prepared specifically in honor of the bride and groom. Thus, if the couple attends a festive meal like a Brit Milah, Sheva Brachot are not recited unless additional dishes or courses are prepared specifically in their honor. 7. In order for the Sheva Brachos to be recited at least seven people must have partaken of bread and recite Birkas Hamazon. Others who are participating may partake of food and drink (not including water) which do not require Birkas Hamazon. 8. If a person began eating a meal at his home and wishes to participate in Sheva Brachos being conducted at another site the following procedure should be followed: a. One should eat at least a Kazayis of bread- an average slice of bread at his meal. At the place of Sheva Brachos at least a small portion of food is eaten. If he is one of the seven (as explained in #7), another Kazayis of bread must be eaten. b. Since the Brachos or blessings before eating were recited at home, there is no need to repeat them at the Sheva Brachos. c. The Birkas Hamazon is not recited at home since the individual will be participating at the Sheva Brachos. d. The time interval between eating at home and participating at the Sheva Brachos should not be more than an hour. 9.  Panim Chadoshos- i.e. the presence of a person who was not present at a meal in honor of the bride and groom whether at the wedding meal or at a previous Sheva Brachos is required. Only one new person is needed. One who attended the wedding ceremony, but did not partake of the meal following the ceremony qualifies as a Panim Chadoshos. 10. The requirement for a Panim Chadoshos is waived on Shabbos and Yom Tov. 11. The Birkas Hamazon and the Borei Pri HaGofen are recited over one cup of wine. The remaining six Brachos are recited over a second cup of wine. 12. It is preferable that a person honored with the recital of one of the Sheva Brachos should have eaten a Kazayis of bread at the site of the Sheva Brachos. 13. Following the recital of the first six Sheva Brachos by various guests, the person who is leading the Birkas Hamazon recites the Borei Pri HaGofen at the end. 14. After the recital of the Borei Pri HaGofen, the two cups of wine are mixed together and the bride and groom drink from the mixture. It is preferable that the participants partake a little wine as well.

Quick Sheva Brachot Review

• Bride and groom cannot be previously married
• Need ten men over bar mitzah age
• Need panim chadoshos (new face)
• Mix cups together at the end