QUESTION: What is the meaning of the word “Amen”?

ANSWER: The Tur (OC 124) writes that the word Amen means affirmation. When answering Amen, one should have in mind that the bracha is true and I (the listener) believe that as well. The Bach (OC 124:5) adds that if the bracha also contains a request, such as the middle brachos of Shmoneh Esrei (as well as Retzei and Sim Shalom), one should also have in mind that Hashem should fulfill the request. The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (6:8) writes that when responding Amen to Kaddish, which is a prayer for the future, one should have in mind that Hashem should make this happen quickly. The Rama (OC 124:7) writes that one should teach young children to answer Amen to brachos, because in the merit of answering Amen, the child will merit a portion in the world to come (based on the Gemara, Sanhedrin 100b). However, the child must understand the meaning of the word Amen, i.e., that he is declaring that the bracha that was said is true (see Piskei Teshuvos 124, note 119).

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.