Chapter 45 – Normal Grace (of Three or More)

45.1) When three males eat together, they must unite in saying Grace after meals and recite it over a cup of wine.

45.2) Fill the cup and then wash your hands.

45.3) If you drink out of the cup, the remaining wine is unfit for use at Grace; use water as a substitute.

45.4) A cup used for Grace must not be broken.

45.5) If a Kohen (priest) is present, allow him to lead the saying of Grace.

45.6) Those leading in saying Grace, should begin with, “let us say Grace.”

45.7) The leader says Grace aloud and those present repeat it quietly and conclude by saying, “amen.”

45.8) After concluding Grace, the leader drinks one and a half eggshells of wine and pronounces the benediction.

45.9) If the leader does not wish to drink the wine, he may let someone else say the benediction.

45.10) If a third person appears after two have eaten together, they should invite the third to join them in saying Grace.

45.11) Three people eating together are obliged to say formal Grace together.

45.12) If ten males eat together, they must add the Divine Name in the Grace.

45.13) If the ten males fail to say the Divine Name, they may say Grace again to include the Divine Name.

45.14) Only those who have eaten bread are required to say Grace mentioning the Divine Name.

45.15) When a group of people unite to eat, they must say Grace together as a unit.

45.16) If three males eat together, and one of the three says Grace in private, the rest must say Grace anyway.

45.17) If three males eat together and two of them wish to say Grace before the third is finished, the third should interrupt his meal to join the other two in saying Grace.

45.18) At a large banquet, it is appropriate to ask someone to lead in Grace.

45.19) All those present at a meal that can see each other, even if in different rooms of a house, should say Grace together.

45.20) Even if you are not eating and hear others who are saying Grace, you should respond accordingly. (See source for details, or consult a rabbi.)

45.21) Regardless of where you get your bread, you should say Grace with all who you are eating bread with.

45.22) Women present with men who are united in saying Grace should listen to its recital.

45.23) If you do not read the Shema (three portions of the Holy Scriptures in Deuteronomy and Numbers; one of only two prayers that are specifically commanded in Torah) morning and evening, or publicly violate the Divine Commands, you may not be counted with those united in saying Grace.