Q. Hello Rav, I attended a Sheva Bracha meal recently where we only had 6 men that had washed for bread, but several others that ate other foods. My understanding was that 7 needed to have bread, but a certain young Rav who was present said that it was fine to say sheva brachot anyways because there were many opinions in the rishonim.

I see online that there are some sources that seem to allow if only 3 washed for bread. Are we allowed to rely on these lenient opinions, or should we have pushed another man to wash on bread or skipped the brachot? Thanks

A. Nitei Gavriel (120: 2) indeed quotes the opinions you mentioned. However, he rules that there should be should be at least seven men that each eat a kezais of bread, since we are stringent in reciting doubtful brochos.

Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlt’a opinion is that six people at least should eat bread.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a