Question: We regularly have lunch together at work, where two of my colleagues eat bread while I usually bring a salad. Can we still make a zimmun?
Answer: The Gemara (Berachos 48a) teaches that, for a group of
ten to recite the special zimmun of “nevareich Elokeinu,” a
majority, must have eaten bread. Rambam (Berachos 5:8) and the Shulchan Aruch
(OC 197:2) rule that when seven of ten participants eat bread, the remaining
three may join even if they have only eaten other foods, forming a valid zimmun.
A
machlokes exists, however, regarding a zimmun of three: The Rif
(Berachos 35b), Rambam, and Rashba (Berachos 48a) hold that all three
participants should eat bread, while the Ri (Tosafos Berachos 48a), Rabbenu
Yonah (35b), and Rosh (Berachos 7:21) allow one participant to join even if he
ate other foods. Tosafos goes further, permitting a third who has only had a
drink to participate, though the Kol Bo (25) requires a minimum of a kezayis
of food (see Beis Yosef OC 197:2).
The
Shulchan Aruch (OC 197:3) advises avoiding this machlokes by ensuring
that those eating other foods should not join two who have eaten bread. Still,
the Magen Avraham (197:9) cites the Knesses Hagedola, who rules that it is
sufficient if one person has only had a drink. The Mishna Berura (197:22)
supports this, and R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yechave Daas 4:13) clarifies that this
leniency aligns with the Shulchan Aruch. In earlier times, the leader would
recite the entire bentching aloud while others listened. Today, with
individual recitations, a zimmun may be led even if not all participants
ate bread, especially given that Hashem’s name is not invoked during the zimmun.
The
Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (45:10), Mishna Berura (197:20), and Ben Ish Chai (Korach
1:5) elaborate that ideally, one who has not eaten bread should consume a kezayis
of mezonos to join a zimmun. If that is not possible, any kezayis
of food or drink, aside from water, suffices.
In
conclusion, one who has only eaten a salad may join as the third member of a zimmun.
