QUESTION: What is an Amen chatufa and an Amen ketufa?

ANSWER: The Gemara (Berachos 47a) states that it is forbidden to answer an Amen chatufa (a hurried Amen) or an Amen ketufa (a cut off Amen). Shulchan Aruch (124:8) offers two explanations for what these are.

Amen Chatufa

One must be careful not to pronounce the aleph of Amen with the sheva sound – i.e., “imen.” Rather, it should be pronounced with a proper kamatz. The Mishnah Berurah adds that one may not mispronounce Amen in any other manner, such as omen, either. Any mispronouncing of this word that could imply a different meaning is forbidden.

One may not hurry to begin reciting Amen before the beracha is finished. Even if the Chazan is stretching out the last word of the beracha, you must wait until he finishes before answering Amen. For this reason, poskim write that a chazan should not stretch out the last word of a beracha, since this might confuse some of the congregants and cause them to recite an Amen chatufa (see Yalkut Yosef – Kitzur Shulchan Aruch OC 53:48).

Amen Ketufa

One may not cut off the beginning, middle or end of the word such as Ameh, Ahen, or Men.

One may not cut the word in half and pronounce it as though it were two words: Ah Men.

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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.