Ask the Rabbi
- Halacha
- Meals and Brachot
- General Questions on Brachot
Question
Does Mezuman mean 3+ and Zimun even one? What is the origin of the worrd Mezuman?
Answer
No, there's no real difference between the 2 terms, which both are from the same root: invitation, and refer to an invitation to bentch (thanking God after meals) together as a group of 3 or more. Mezuman means invited, and zimun is the invitation. In Israel "zimun" is the common usage.
Baruch Hu U’Varuch Shemo
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | 11 Cheshvan 5767
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