Ask the Rabbi
- Halacha
- The Meal - Washing, Eating and Benching
- Birkat Hamazon - Grace after the Meal
Question
My diet requires low salt bread. At work where it is not good to take too much time to say brachot, may I use the kitzur birchat hamazon?
Answer
Shalom,
In democratic countries where there is freedom of religion and worker’s rights are carefully guarded, there is no need, and accordingly, no justification, to use the kitzur birkat hamazon. If it takes you a long time to say, and it’s uncomfortable, than you can finish at the end of the fourth bracha (“al y’chasrenu”) and either say the rest (which aren’t the essential part of benching) as you walk back to work or even if you omit them, it’s ok when necessary.
With Love of Israel,
Rav Ari Shvat

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