Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim · Siman 201

English

Who recites the blessing. This siman contains four se'ifim. The greatest person present recites the blessing, even if he arrived at the end. If he wishes to grant permission to someone of lesser standing to recite the blessing, he may do so. This applies when no guest is present. But if a guest is present, the guest recites the blessing, even if the host is greater than he, so that he may bless the host. What blessing does he pronounce for him? ‘May it be Your will that this host suffer neither shame nor humiliation, neither in this world nor in the World to Come. May he prosper in all his possessions; may his possessions be successful and near the city; may Satan have no power over the work of his hands; and may no matter of sin or thought of iniquity present itself to him, from now and forever.’ If the host wishes to forgo his blessing—that is, he does not wish to insist upon it—and to recite Birkat HaMazon (Grace after Meals) himself, he may do so. Rema: Likewise, he may give whomever he wishes the honor of reciting the blessing (Beit Yosef in the name of Ohel Mo'ed).

English

A Torah scholar who is a Yisrael (a non-kohen) must not give an unlearned kohen precedence to recite the blessing before him as a matter of the established entitlement of the kehunah (priesthood). But there is nothing wrong with the scholar granting him permission to recite the blessing. If, however, the kohen is a Torah scholar, it is a mitzvah to give him precedence, as it is stated, ‘You shall sanctify him’: to open first and to recite the blessing first. (See above, siman 167, se'if 14.)

English

One who is offered the honor of reciting the blessing and does not recite it has his days shortened.

English

One should endeavor to be given the kos shel berachah (cup of blessing) over which to recite the blessing.