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Donate- Hefsek – Talking in middle of an after blessing:
- Birchas Hamazon:[1]
This matter will be fully discussed in Volume 2 under the chapter of Birchas Hamazon!
It is forbidden for one to speak in middle of Birchas Hamazon just as is the rule when one is in middle of Shemoneh Esrei.
Bedieved:[2] If one transgressed and spoke he does not need to repeat the blessing.
May one answer for Kaddish or Kedusha or Amen in the midst of Birchas Hamazon? Some Poskim[3] rule that it is forbidden to answer even Kaddish or Kedusha just as is the law when one is in the midst of Shemoneh Esrei. One is to rather stay quiet and listen to the Kaddish or Kedusha being said. Other Poskim[4], however, rule that it is permitted to answer Kaddish and Kedusha, and so is implied from Admur.[5]
Answering Amen: According to all it is forbidden to answer amen while one is in the middle of the first three Brachos [with exception to amen of the Mezamein if one is holding between the two Brachos]. However it is permitted to answer Amen when one is within the fourth Bracha of Hatov Vehameitiv, and so is implied from Admur.[6] However there are some opinions[7] who forbid even answering amen until the beginning of the Harachamans. However from there and onwards even according to them one may interrupt to answer Amen.[8]
May one speak during the Harachamans said after the end of the 4th blessing? One is not to speak of mundane matters until one concludes “Oseh Shalom.”[9] However ,for matters of holiness such as answering amen it is permitted as explained in the previous Q&A.
- Meiyn Shalosh:[10]
One should treat the after blessing of Meiyn Gimel similar to Birchas Hamazon and hence not speak in the middle of its recital even to answer Amen, or Kaddish and Kedusha. Certainly, it is forbidden to speak in middle for other reasons.
Bedieved:[11] If one transgressed and spoke he does not need to repeat the blessing.
- Borei Nefashos:[12]
If one is in middle of Bore Nefashos, then if he already recited a few words after “Elokeinu Melech Haolam”[13], then the law follows the same law as one who is in the midst of Shema. Thus, while it is forbidden for one to speak in middle of mundane matters, he may interrupt the blessing in order to answer Kaddish, Kedusha or Barchu.
| Blessing | Speaking Allowed? | Repeat Blessing if Spoken? | Answer Kaddish/Kedusha/Amen? |
| Birchas Hamazon | Forbidden | No | Debated; some permit at certain points |
| Meiyn Gimel | Should avoid | No | Should avoid, even to answer |
| Borei Nefashos | Should not engage in mundane conversation | Permitted to interrupt to answer |
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[1] Admur 183:11; Ketzos Hashulchan 44:5
[2] See Admur 183:11
[3] Kaf Hachaim 183:45 in name of Chesed Leavraham and other Poskim; Ben Ish Chaiy Chukas 3
[4] Ketzos Hashulchan 44 footnote 12; Chazon Ish 28:3
[5] So writes Ketzos Hashulchan from the fact that Admur allows to answer amen of the blessing of the Mezamein when one is between blessings and thus it implies that certainly for a Davar Shebekedusha one may answer. Furthermore, the reasoning of Admur is based on that the blessings must be said in one time without interruption, which is the similar reason mentioned for why one may not interrupt between the arm and head Tefillin. Nevertheless there Admur rules [in the Siddur] that one may stop to answer a Davar Shebekedusha. Thus seemingly the same would apply here.
[6] So is implied from Admur which specifies only the first three blessings in his reason for why the Sages forbade talking. [see Yabia Omer 1:11] So rules also Aruch Hashulchan 183:8.
[7] Kaf Hachaim ibid from Ben Ish Chaiy ibid
[8] Ben Ish Chaiy Chukas 18
[9] Ben Ish Chaiy Chukas 18 writes it is forbidden; Kaf Hachayim 188:1 writes its proper not to speak; and so is implied from Ketzos Hashulchan 46 footnote 21
[10] Tehila Ledavid 183:5; Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:17
[11] See Admur 183:11
[12] Vezos Habracha 5; Chazon Ovadia Tu Beshvat p. 84; Yabia Omer 1 O.C. 11; Otzer Habrachos [Kohen] 1:9; Piskeiy Teshuvos 167 footnote 72 that Borei Nefashos is included in a Bracha Arucha; So rule regarding a Bracha Arukah: Chayeh Adam 5:13; Biur Halacha 66; Ketzos Hashulchan 5:11;
[13] Such as he recited “Borei Nefashos Rabos”. This is required as otherwise it is considered as if he is in the middle of a one sentence blessing of which the law is that one may not make an interval. [ibid; Kaf Hachaim; Nishmas Kol Chaiy] Thus if he did not yet say these words he is to say them and then answer.
