Grace after meals in the workplace dining hall
Question
I work in a secular place, and there are also women in the dining hall. I would like to ask about the possibility of reciting Birkat Hamazon, as well as any blessing, in such a setting. It is currently winter, so everyone is relatively modestly dressed, and the main issue is regarding trousers and head covering. Is there a difference between a married and an unmarried woman? What area needs to be free of immodesty? The entire room? It is a large dining hall, and if so, it would never be possible to recite blessings there. I have no ability to eat in another place or at a different time. Thank you very much.
Answer
Shalom and blessings.
It is forbidden to recite a blessing facing an exposed part of the body, as well as the uncovered hair of a married woman.
In front of the face of the person reciting the blessing, there must be no immodesty at the time of the blessing.
Closing one’s eyes does not help; one must turn one’s body to another direction.
