QUESTION: Before reciting the beracha of “Borei Pri Hagafen,” the custom is to say “savri rabosai.” Why is this so?

ANSWER: Shulchan Aruch (OC 174:8) writes that if wine is brought in the middle of a meal, each person should recite their own beracha. The Rema explains that one person cannot recite the beracha for the group, since some of the guests might be in the middle of eating, and if they try to answer Amen they might choke. However, if the host recites “savri rabosai” (pay attention, my masters), he can recite the beracha on their behalf. This is because this introduction gives those around you warning that they should stop eating and prepare to answer Amen, which alleviates the sakana (danger).

____________________________________________________

The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.