Omitted Baruch Hashem in Maariv

Question: I davened maariv in a Chassidishe shul and they did not say the beracha of Baruch Hashem leolam.. before the amida. Should I say it after Maariv?

Answer: The Tur (OC 236:2) explains why we recite the beracha of Baruch Hashem before the amida. In the olden days, shuls were situated in the cities. In order to prevent people returning home so late, chazal penned an abridged version of the amida. We continue saying this even though the reason no longer applies, though there are rishonim who maintain that we no longer say it.

The Taz (OC 236:2) writes that one who comes late to shul should skip this beracha, if necessary, to daven the amida with the tzibbur and recite it after maariv instead. Likewise, the Elya Rabba (236:7) and Chayei Adam (1:34:3) write that if one needs to skip Baruch Hashem, they should recite it after Maariv. The Magen Avraham (296:7) adds that as saying this is only a minhag, one can skip it, if necessary, though does not write whether one should repeat it afterwards. The Mishna Berura (236:11) writes that the Magen Avraham implies that one should repeat it, while the Maharam Schick (OC 93) understand the Magen Avraham as not requiring one to recite it later.

The Maharam Schick quotes Tosafos who implies that one who skips it does not say it after Maariv. He argues that reciting it later could even be a beracha levatala. While there is no requirement to say it, if one does so, they should not conclude the beracha with Hashem’s name. Similarly, the Mishna Berura (236:11) quotes the Maaseh Rav (67) who writes that one should not recite it after. He concludes that one who says it should not say the concluding beracha (see Shraga Hameir 4:42:2).

In conclusion, if one did not say the beracha of Baruch Hashem before the amida, one should not say it afterwards.