More About Boruch Hu Uvoruch Shemo

More About Boruch Hu Uvoruch Shemo

Question:
I am writing to ask about the rov’s statements in this column to the effect that minhag Ashkenaz is only to say boruch hu uvoruch shemo during chazaras hashatz and not at other times.

As a German Jew, I can attest that the minhag of many in my community (whose minhagim derive from the original minhag Ashkenaz) is certainly to say boruch hu uvoruch shemo upon hearing other brachos as well, such as Birchos Hashachar (when they are recited aloud) and the brachos of the haftorah.

Rav Auerbach:
When I said that minhag Ashkenaz is to say boruch hu uvoruch shemo only during chazaras hashatz, I did not mean as opposed to saying it during Birchos Hashachar or birchos hahaftorah. I meant as opposed to saying it upon hearing all brachos, as is customary among many Sefardim.

Many Ashkenazi shuls and communities in Eretz Yisroel do not recite Birchos Hashachar aloud and therefore have no custom to say boruch hu uvoruch shemo then, but certainly one davening in a shul that recites Birchos Hashachar aloud should say boruch hu uvoruch shemo with the rest of the tzibbur if that is the custom there.

​There are different customs in this matter within minhag Ashkenaz and everyone should follow their own.