[Avodah] Melech Chanun V'Rachum

[kennethgmiller at juno.com]

I have seen many siddurim which say that when saying Birkas Hamazon, Yaaleh V'Yavo ends with the words "Ki Kel Chanun V'rachum Atah", and that the word "Melech" is added only on Rosh Hashana. Actually, the directions vary widely. Some simply leave out the "Melech", some simply include it, some have "On RH say:", and some have "On RH some say:".

However, from what I've seen, "Melech" is always included in the Yaaleh V'yavo of Shmoneh Esreh. I haven't seen a siddur which even suggests omitting it from Shmoneh Esreh on any occasion, even siddurim which do mention this by benching.

The only place I've found which discusses this is the Siddur Avodas Yisrael published by Roedelheim, which offers this in Birkas Hamazon:

<<< "Ki Kel Chanun V'rachum Atah" - That's what the Avudraham wrote in the name of the Raavad, about the text of Yaaleh V'Yavo of Birkas Hamazon, and NOT "Ki Kel *Melech* Chanun etc." The Shelah pg 82b wrote the same, and also Yosef Ometz #783, and likewise the Ben Seder Ohr Chadash. And the truth is, that's the language of the pasuk in Nechemia 9:31. >>>

So if that is the text of the pasuk (and, according to my Tanach, it is), then why would we include the word "Melech" for Shmoneh Esreh, and omit it only in Birkas Hamazon? Why, for example, would one say it in Maariv on the first night of Pesach, but at the Seder on the first night of Pesach?

A related question: How widespread is the practice of omitting "Melech" in Birkas Hamazon? Is it mostly among any particular groups? From the siddurim and benchers I've looked at, I can't seem to notice any pattern.

Akiva Miller

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