Answering Amen while wrapping the Tallis
Question:
If I’m wrapping my Tallis and the chazzan starts Kaddish, may I answer “Amen”? For example, this morning I walked into shul a few minutes late. As I begin wrapping your Tallis, the chazzan starts Kaddish. Should I answer “Amen” and “Yehei Shmei Rabba?”
Answer:
Once the Bracha has commenced, one may not respond with “Amen” until the blessing is concluded and the Tallis fully covers an Ama of the body as well as the head. Therefore, following the completion of both the Yishmaeli wrapping and the Bracha, it is permissible to answer “Amen” while still in the wrapped position, provided the Tallis covers an Ama both at the front and back and there is sufficient space for visibility, in accordance with Halachic requirements during the Yishmaeli wrap. However, individuals who traditionally cover only the head and a small portion of their back, or who cover their eyes during the Yishmaeli wrapping, must refrain from answering “Amen” until the Tallis is properly draped over each shoulder as typically worn throughout Davening.
Explanation:
The issue with answering Amen between the blessing and the completion of wrapping the Tallis is that it constitutes an interruption (hefsek) between the Bracha and the Mitzvah. Certainly, while the blessing is being recited, one may not answer due to Hefsek. The central question that arises is how to define the completion of the Mitzvah following the recitation of the blessing, and consequently, at which precise moment it is appropriate to respond with “Amen.”
So, the mitzvah is only considered fulfilled once the Tallis is properly wrapped around one’s body. The wrapping around the head and shoulders is insufficient. Accordingly, so long as the Tallis has yet to be wrapped around the body it is forbidden to answer Amen. Now, truth be told, one is never to do the Yishmaeli wrapping in this method in which only the head and shoulders are covered, and rather one is to always be particular to have it be wrapped around the body, and so is the Chabad custom of performing the Yishmaeli wrap. Accordingly, per the Chabad custom in which the blessing is completed as the Tallis is thrown over the left shoulder, thereby at that moment one may answer Amen immediately, as one is considered fully wrapped, and the mitzvah is fulfilled.
Now, although the custom is to remain in this wrapped position for the amount of time it takes to walk four cubits, this is seemingly not required to validate the mitzvah, and it is unclear as to why exactly this is required. So is evident from the fact that none of the Poskim who deal with this question or the question of when to recite the verses of Mah Yakar make any mention that one should delay saying it until this amount of time has passed. In fact, we do not find regarding any Mitzvah, that one must perform the mitzvah for some amount of time prior to making a Hefsek. For example, as soon as one is completed the wrapping of tefillin, he may speak, and as soon as one has finished putting on his Tallis Katan one may speak. Likewise, as soon as a mezuzah is nailed onto the door one may speak, and so on and so forth by every other mitzvah. Hence, would be highly unlikely to suggest that the stated requirement to remain in the Yishmaeli wrap position for a number of seconds is necessary for the sake of fulfilling the mitzvah. Rather, perhaps this is done simply for the sake of it imitating the way that a Yishmaeli wears the garment. Hence, when the opportunity arises (such as hearing Kaddish), one should answer Amen already at the point that the blessing is completed even though it is prior to waiting these number of seconds.
However, an additional condition that must be met in order to answer Amen in the above position where the Tallis is thrown over the left shoulder is that sufficient space remains for one’s eyes to see beyond the Tallis. Failure to do so renders the wrapping invalid, and one should not respond with “Amen” to a blessing or Kaddish, as the mitzvah has not yet been fulfilled. Furthermore, independent of the protocol for answering “Amen,” the Poskim rule that it is always required for one to maintain visibility past the Tallis so that the Yishmaeli wrap meets the required standards.
Sources: See regarding not answering Amen prior to finishing the wrapping: Writes to wait until the Tallis worn over the shoulders for Davening to say Mah Yakar: Machsheves Eitza p. 9; Birchas Habayis Shaar 37:10; Writes may recite even while garbed in the Yishmaeli wrap, as it fulfills the Mitzvah: Ketzos Hashulchan, Hosafos Vol. 1, p. 86b; Kaf HaChaim 8:39 [concludes like Ketzos ibid]; Piskei Teshuvos 8:6; See regarding waiting four Amos: Siddur Admur [after blessing]; Admur 8:6; Michaber 8:3; Terumas Hadeshen 45; M”A 8:2 in name of Arizal; Shaar Hakavanos Derushei Tzitzis Derush 1; See regarding leaving visibility for the eyes when doing Yishmaeli wrap: M”B 8:4; Od Yosef Chaiy Bereishis 11; Nimukei Orach Chaim 8:2; Ketzos Hashulchan 7 footnote 14 and in Piskeiy Hassidur; Igros Kodesh 13:225; Piskeiy Teshuvos 8:7 See regarding wrapping over body and not just head by Yishmaeli wrap: Admur 8:8; M”A 8:2; Siddur Admur Hilchos Tzitzis [12 in Rav Raskin’s Siddur]; Beis Oved 27; Shalmei Tzibbur p. 32; Kaf Hachaim 8:3 and 9; Or Letziyon 2:44-8; Vayeishev Hayam of Rav Yaakov Hillel 2:1; See Radbaz 1:343; Shaareiy Teshuvah 8:3 Other opinions: Some learn that according to the Arizal the wrapping at the time of the blessing is to be done only around the neck and not around the body. [Ben Ish Chaiy Bereishis 5; Chesed Lealafim 8:2; see also Matzos Shmurim p. 23 [brought in Kaf Hachaim 8:9]
