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- Halacha
Question
Dear Rabbi,
Id appreciate it if you can kindly help me by answering the following questions that I have:
During what part of Tefila, one should not answer any amen
During what part of Tefila, one should not answer any barechu
Thank you for taking the time to guide me.
Answer
Thank you for your question,
Answering Amen on Brachoss and Barechu while you are davening depends on the part that you are at:
1.
During Pesukei Dezimra (from 'Baruch Sheamar' till 'Yishtabach'):
You answer all Berachoss of any type, and all Barechu.
2.
During Birkoss Kriyat Shema (from 'Yotzer Or' till 'Ga'al Yisrael'):
You answer only to Barechu, Kedusha and Kadish.
In between the 'chapters' of Birkoss Kriyat Shema (in between 'Yotzer Hameoross' and 'Ahava Rabbah', in between 'Habocher beamo Yisrael Bi Ahava' and 'shema', In between 'ubisharecha' and 'Vehaya', in between 'Kimei Hashamayim al haaretz' and 'Vayomer')
It is a Machloket Haposkim whether you may answer ANY Amen, Limaesa, you may.
In the sentence of 'Shema Yisrael' you do not respond to anything, since this is 'Kabbalat Ol Malchut shamayim'.
3.
During shemona Esreh:
You do not answer any Barechu, or Amen.
If the congregation is reciting kedusha, Barechu or Kaddish then you quietly listen to them without saying the words.
After "Y'hiyu L'ratzon" but before "Elokai Netzor":
You answer Kedusha, Barechu and Kaddish, but since you did not fully finish your 'Tefilat Shemoneh Esreh' you do not answer other Brachos.
Note:
What exactly is included in Kaddish and Keddusha?
Only the basic and important parts, therefore-
Kedusha:
Only the Pesukim of "kadosh…' and 'Baruch'. Some also add the third passuk of 'Yimloch'. But not the sentences in between.
Ashkeazim also considers the Amen of 'Hakel Hakadosh' and 'Shomea Tefila' in this category. Sefardim do not.
Kaddish:
The important and main parts:
'Amen yehei Shmei Rabba Mevorach Leolam Uleolmei Olmaya', and the Amen after 'Daamiran Bealma Ve Imru Amen'.
A practical tip:
Some siddurim have a simple chart in the back with all the Dinei Hefsek.
Bhatzlacha!
Sources:
1.
Pesukei Dezimra:
שולחן ערוך, אורח חיים, סימן נא' סעיפים ד-ה
משנה ברורה ס"ק ו',ח'.
ביאור הלכה שם ד"ה "וצריך ליזהר"
2.
Birkoss Kriyat Shema:
שולחן ערוך, אורח חיים, סימן סו', סעיף ג'
In Between Chapters:
משנה ברורה סימן סו' סעיף קטן כג'.
Kriyat Shema first sentence of Shema Yisrael:
שולחן ערוך סימן סא', סעיף א',
משנה ברורה סעיף קטן יב'
ביאור הלכה ד"ה "שלא יפסיק בהם כלל"
3.
During Shemona Esreh:
שולחן ערוך סימן קד', סעיף ז'
משנה ברורה ס"ק כו'-כח'.
After Y'hiyu L'ratzon:
שולחן ערוך סימן קד' סעיף ח'.
משנה ברורה ס"ק ל'.
What exactly is included?
What exactly is included in the Kedusha and Kaddish?
שולחן ערוך ורמ"א סימן סו' סעיף ג'.
משנה ברורה סימן סו' ס"ק יז'.
ילקוט יוסף, תפילה, סימן סו' סעיפים א- ב'.
ערוך השולחן סימן סו'.
Someone Davening at the Kotel, and if it is Chiyuv to answer:
ציץ אליעזר חלק יא' סימן ג'
Note:
this answer was written by my brother Rabbi Yoni Kirsch.
