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It appears to be the custom everywhere to say brachot out loud that others can hear.

However, I recall that Shimon Bar Yochai in the Gemara prescribes saying your brachot very quietly and in all humility (I have no idea what is the exact location). Bar Yochai had a more introverted approach to spiritual living, and personally I've found it more meaningful to say brachot silently than out loud.

So what are the sources saying on whether a silent/mental bracha is considered valid?

bondonk
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Minim
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    Welcome to Mi Yodeya, Minim, and thanks for bringing your question here! – ezra Feb 02 '18 at 02:32
  • As mbloch details in his answer, there is a middle ground that you skipped in your question. You do not need to say them so that other people can hear, but you should/must say them. A prayer is you talking to G-d. – MichoelR Jul 10 '23 at 12:31

1 Answers1

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The Rambam (MT Brachot 1:7) writes you should ideally hear yourself

A person should recite all the blessings loud enough for him to hear what he is saying. Nevertheless, a person who does not recite a blessing out loud fulfills his obligation, whether he verbalizes the blessing or merely recites it in his heart.

However R Binyomin Forst in his Laws of B'rachos writes

Most authorities reject the view that one can mentally recite a bracha and fulfill one's obligation (SA OC 206:3). A bracha must be uttered by the movements of one's lips pronouncing each word (but R Shlomo Zalman Auerbach allows lips pronunciation even if no sound is emitted).

There is considerable disagreement in the Mishna and Talmud (Brachot 15a and Megila 19b) as to whether it is necessary for the bracha to be audible to the person making the bracha. Though it is clearly desirable that the bracha be recited in audible voice, the failure to do so does not invalidate the bracha (SA OC 206:3)

As you see these sources do not mention that others need to hear you. Personally I would imagine one rationale for doing so is to allow others to say amen to your bracha.

mbloch
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