3. Not to perform any activity while saying the blessing:[1]

Birchas Hamazon: It is forbidden for one to do any Melacha [i.e. action or activity] while reciting Birchas Hamazon.[2] This applies even if the activity or action is light and does not affect one’s concentration, nevertheless it is forbidden to be done.[3] Furthermore, it is forbidden to do an action or activity even for the sake of a Mitzvah. It goes without saying that one may not perform an activity which requires his concentration, even if it is for the sake of the Mitzvah, such as the study of Torah, as it is found that he has removed his mind from concentrating on the blessing.[4]

Blessings other than Birchas Hamazon:[5] Even by blessings other than Birchas Hamazon it is initially improper for one to perform an action or activity [that requires concentration] while reciting a blessing.[6] This applies to even an action which involves a Mitzvah. Thus, one is not to even learn Torah while reciting a blessing as blessings initially require concentration. [Nevertheless, Bedieved, one does not repeat the blessing.[7]] [However, it is permitted even initially by all blessings other than Birchas Hamazon for one to perform activities that do not require concentration] as doing activity with one’s hands was only prohibited upon reciting the first paragraph of Shema [and by Birchas Hamazon as stated above].[8]

• Examples – Distracting activity: You may not wash dishes, check your phone, or even write notes while saying any blessing. Likewise, you may not read a book, answer questions, or learn Torah while reciting a blessing.
• Examples – Not distracting activity: However, holding an object, walking [by blessings that are not required to be recited while sitting in their area], drying one’s hands, fiddling something with one’s fingers, is usually allowed (if it does not distract you) by all blessings other than Birchas Hamazon by which even these activities are forbidden to be done.

Summary:

When reciting Birchas Hamazon, performing any activity—even light tasks or mitzvah-related actions—is forbidden, as full concentration is required. For other blessings, one should also avoid activities that require concentration, including Torah study, but simple, non-distracting actions are generally permitted.

Table: Activities Permitted During Blessings

Blessing Type	Permitted Activities	Prohibited Activities
Birchas Hamazon	None—full attention required	Any task, even light or mitzvah-related (e.g., studying Torah, cleaning, texting)
Other Blessings	Simple tasks not requiring concentration (e.g., walking, holding something)	Any action needing attention (e.g., reading, learning Torah, answering questions)

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[1] Admur 183:14; Michaber 183:12; 191:3; Yerushalmi Brachos 2:5; Encyclopedia Talmudit Vol. 4 Erech Brachos pp. 300

[2] The reason: As this makes it appear as if one is reciting the blessing in a in a casual and incidental manner [without true intent or purpose; i.e. Aray and Mikreh]. [Admur ibid; Taz 191:1]

[3] Admur ibid; M”A 191:2; Beir Heiytiv 184:12; 191:2

[4] Admur ibid; Taz ibid; See Admur 185:1

[5] Admur ibid; Taz ibid;See Tehila Ledavid 191:1

[6] The reason: As according to all opinions, all blessings at least initially require concentration. [Admur ibid]

^[7] Ketzos Hashulchan 5:10 based on Shulchan Aruch 184:2 and 183:14

[8] May one do activities that do not require concentration? It is clearly implied from Admur ibid that doing so is allowed by all blessings other than Birchas Hamazon and Shema, as the prohibition of “Aray” only applies by Birchas Hamazon and the first paragraph of Shema, and not by other blessings, as rules Admur also in 63:8. So also understands Tehila Ledavid 191:1 in Admur [and hence questions his ruling], and so seems to rule Peri Megadim 191 M”Z 1.

Other Opinions: Some Poskim rule that one may not do any action while reciting a blessing even if it does not require concentration, being that it makes the blessing appear unimportant [Aray]. [Taz 191:1; M”B 191:5; Piskeiy Teshuvos 191:2]  See Tehila Ledavid ibid that it is impossible to do a Melacha without concentration and hence questions the ruling of Admur ibid.