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We are continuing in siman 13, and the Chayei Adam will discuss the halachos of the kos for birchas hamazon. These halachos are brought in Shulchan Aruch, in siman 183, and are not limited to the kos for birchas hamazon, but apply to any kos shel bracha.
The Gemara (Brachos 41a) says there are 10 halachos regarding the kos shel bracha. The Shulchan Aruch brings down many of these halachos, but not all of them. Two that are not brought down by the Shulchan Aruch nor by the Chayei Adam are the halachos of ituf and itur. In siman 183, the Mishnah Berurah quotes from the Magen Avraham that a yarei shamayim should not make the bracha of birchas hamazon with just a yarmulke, but with a regular hat. Some are makpid to put on a jacket as well, as these garments are part of what the Gemara refers to as ituf. One of the explanations as to the definition of ituf is that it means adding another layer. It could be a jacket, but could be a nice sweater as well. The point is that one should not make a bracha on a kos shel bracha in their shirtsleeves.
The Shulchan Aruch does not mention this halacha, nor does the Chayei Adam. It is not clear why they do not mention it, as it is clear in the Gemara, and the Bach and Magen Avraham pick up on it. The Mishnah Berurah writes that a yarei shamayim should practice it, so we see that for some reason it does not have the same level of chumra as the other items in the Gemara.
The Mishnah Berurah continues, and writes that the minhag nowadays is to wear a hat when reciting birchas hamazon, even without a kos shel bracha. The Aruch Hashulchan writes that he does not see that the minhag is to wear an outer layer, but a hat is sufficient to fulfill the concept of ituf. It comes out that the main hakpadah is the hat, rather than the jacket.
Going back to kiddush, this is true as well, in that one should be makpid to fulfill ituf by wearing their hat and jacket.
If we take this one step further, the point here is the kos shel bracha, not the birchas hamazon itself. Therefore, when it comes to other brachos achronos, one does not need to wear a hat and jacket. Obviously, should one do so, it would be a kavod to the bracha, but there is no concept of a hakpadah.
Summary
- A yarei shamayim should be makpid to make any bracha on a kos shel bracha while wearing a hat and jacket, to fulfill the Gemara’s requirement of ituf.
- The Mishnah Berurah holds that it is appropriate for one to wear a hat and jacket for birchas hamazon.
