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I find that most people have tendency to say most blessings (on food, going to the bathroom etc.) quietly to themselves. This may preclude others from having a chance to answer amen afterwards. Is the proper course of action to say all blessings aloud so that others can answer amen or should blessings be said in an undertone?

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  • Whatever best helps your kavana.
    – Double AA ♦
    Commented Sep 12, 2012 at 19:17
  • IMHO kavana is helped by saying them deliberately and aloud. I know we don't mean it literally but the idea of people saying blessings "to themselves" worries me. We should be directing them to HaShem!
    – Avrohom Yitzchok
    Commented Sep 12, 2012 at 21:23
  • @AvrohomYitzchok Tell that to Channa.
    – Double AA ♦
    Commented Sep 13, 2012 at 5:59
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    Don't overdo it on saying it aloud though. It can come off as "look at me". Use a voice loud enough for the person next to you perhaps, but no louder. i.e. ordinary quiet speech volume.
    – Ariel
    Commented Sep 13, 2012 at 6:36

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One should say blessings aloud (source coming soon, b'li neder, but I think it's Sefer HaBeracha WeHilchotea). However if one knows that the people around him won't answer amen he should say it quietly (Ben Ish Hai).

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    The Ben Ish Chai shana alef parshas Balak halacha 2 says that it should be loud enough that the ears can hear it.
    – sam
    Commented Aug 20, 2013 at 5:09
  • That's a separate issue.
    – Hacham Gabriel
    Commented Aug 20, 2013 at 11:40
  • What if you have always said it quietly and your partner has never said Amen? Is it considered that you know that they won't say it, and therefore a reason not to start saying the blessing aloud?
    – SAH
    Commented Apr 22, 2016 at 1:49

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