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Hilchos Kriyas Shema 59-60 (page 185)
מאמצע סעיף ד ולא יענה עד סימן ס סעיף ב


Answering Amen to Birchos Kriyas Shema According to the Mechaber
Answering Amen to Birchos Kriyas Shema According to the Rama
When to Answer Amen to Ahava Rabbah/Ahavas Olam According to All

Answering Amen to birchos Kriyas Shema according to the Mechaber
According to the Mechaber, members of the congregation should not respond Amen when the chazan completes the beracha of Ahava Rabbah. Any talking between the beracha and Shema may be considered a hefseik between the beracha and the mitzva, so it is wise to avoid the issue and end the beracha along with the chazan. It is also preferable to end the beracha of Yotzer Ohr along with the chazan to avoid answering Amen there. Nevertheless, if he completes Yotzer Ohr before the chazan, he should respond Amen.
( סימן נט, סעיף ד, ס"ק כד, וביה"ל ד"ה ולא)
Answering Amen to birchos Kriyas Shema according to the Rama
According to the Rama, it is proper to respond Amen to the beracha of Ahava Rabbah. It is not considered an interruption between the beracha and the mitzva because Ahava Rabbah, which does not contain the words asher kedishanu b'mitzvosov, is not a classic birkas hamitzva.The beracha of Yotzer Ohr is certainly not a birkas hamitzva according to the Rama, and one should respond Amen to it. The poskim recommend following the opinion of the Mechaber and concluding the beracha of Ahava Rabbah along with the chazan to avoid the question of the Amen.
( סימן נט, סעיף ד וס"ק כה; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 21)
When to answer Amen to Ahava Rabbah/Ahavas Olam according to all
According to the Rama, one is only permitted to answer Amen to the beracha of Ahava Rabbah and to the limited number of other berachos that one is permitted to respond to between the segments of birchos Kriyas Shema (e.g. the beracha of Shomea Tefilla). According to the Mechaber, someone who already fulfilled the mitzva of Shema may answer Amen after Ahava Rabbah.  Since he already fulfilled his obligation, it will not constitute an interruption.
( סימן נט, ס"ק כה; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 22-23)




 
  • Generally, the rule of shomeia k'oneh allows a person to fulfill his obligation to recite a beracha through hearing it from someone else. The poskim discuss whether someone can fulfill his obligation to recite the berachos on food through listening.
  • There are Rishonim who hold that if someone's mind wanders while listening to a beracha in an attempt to fulfill his obligation, he is not yotzei. The distraction is considered a hefseik. The Mishna Berura presents numerous difficulties with this position, and concludes that even this opinion agrees that a distracted listener is yotzei and that reciting the berachos independently is only a preference.
  • The custom is to recite the kedusha in the beracha of Yotzer Ohr even without a minyan, but it is recommended that the words be read with the Torah cantillations (trup).





  • Is proper intent necessary to fulfill general mitzvos?

  • Is proper intent necessary to fulfill a mitzva involving eating?

  • Why must someone who said Shema before davening repeat it during davening?

 






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PLEASE NOTE:  The information in this email is for learning purposes only. Please review the Mishna Berura and Biurim U'Musafim before making a halachic decision. Hebrew words are occasionally transliterated to enable a smoother reading of the text. Common Ashkenazi pronunciation is generally used in these cases.