Question: We have just arrived back from a family holiday abroad. Should we all bench gomel individually, or should one person say it on behalf of the rest of us?
Answer:
The Shulchan Aruch (OC 219:5) writes that one who listened to the beracha of
hagomel being recited fulfils their obligation to say it even without
saying amen. The one reciting it must have intent to fulfil the other’s
obligation, and the one listening must have intent to fulfil their obligation
in this manner.
The Shulchan
Aruch Harav (OC 167:18) writes that it is generally preferable for one person
to recite the beracha on others behalf rather than everyone saying it
individually, following the rule berov am hadras melech, it is
preferable to perform mitzvos with a large presence (Berachos 53a; Yoma
70a; Megilla 27b, et al.). Nonetheless, regarding berachos before
eating, we are accustomed to reciting berachos individually as people
are not vigilant enough about not speaking or interrupting between the beracha
and eating.
The Mishna
Berura (8:13; 223:12) adds that people are not always well versed enough to have
the right intent to fulfil their obligation or that of others.
The Piskei
Teshuvos (219:17) writes that each person who has travelled should recite the beracha
themselves. Only if many people underwent a particular incident together should
one person recite it on their behalf (see R’ Akiva Eiger OC 219:5).
In
conclusion, people who have travelled should each bench gomel
individually, rather than one person doing so on everyone else’s behalf.
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