B'rov am hadrat melech

"B'rov am hadrat melech" (ברב עם הדרת מלך, "in multitudes there is glorification of the king") [Proverbs 14:28] is a principle in Jewish law that recommends that mitzvot be performed as part of as large a gathering as possible, with the intention of providing greater honor to God.

"Talmudic" examples of application

The "Talmud" provides many examples of the practical application of this principle. One such example is brought by a "Tosefta", ["Bavli" "Berachot" 53a] which quotes a situation in which many individuals were gathered together and learning in a study hall when a candle arrived for use in the "havdalah" prayer that is receited at the end of "Shabbat". In such a case, either each individual could recite his own blessing on the fire, or one person can recite the blessing and all of the others can listen and respond "amen", thereby fulfilling their obligation to recite the blessing. Whereas the Academy of Shammai proposed that each person recite their own blessing, the Academy of Hillel proposed that one person should recite the blessing on behalf of everyone present in fulfillment of the principle of "b'rov am hadrat melech". The law follows the latter opinion. ["Ayin Mishpat Ner Mitzvah", citing Maimonidies]

Another example is in reference to blowing the "shofar". ["Bavli" "Rosh Hashanah" 22b] The "Mishna" ["Rosh Hashanah" 4:8] mandates that the "shofar" be blown during the "musaf" prayer service, and the "Gemara", ostensibly providing an explanation to why the "shofar" is not blown in the earlier "shacharit" prayer, provides the rationale that inclusion within the "musaf" prayer is because of the principle of "b'rov am hadrat melech", as more people are in the synagogue by the time the congregation has reached "musaf". This rationale is immediately debunked, as the "Gemara" continues to ask why "Hallel" (when recited) is incuded in "shacharit" if "b'rov am hadrat melech" is indeed governing into which prayers the additions are added.

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