QUESTION: I am studying Torah in a Beis Medrash where others are davening. Am I required to answer Amen to all the berachos?

ANSWER: The Aishel Avrohom (Buchatch siman 215:2) writes that one who is learning Torah is not required to stop to answer Amen. The rule is “ha’osek b’mitzvah patur min ha’mitzvah” (one who is involved in the performance of one mitzva is absolved from performing another mitzvah). The Rama MiFano (teshuva 102) writes similarly. Nevertheless, they write that if the person wishes to stop and answer Amen, he is permitted to do so.

The Shevet Halevi (9:43) offers the following proof that one who is studying Torah need not interrupt to answer Amen. The Gemara (Berachos 53a) relates a disagreement between Beis Shammai and Beis Hillel about whether we should interrupt the learning in a Beis Medrash so that everyone can perform a mitzvah together or whether it is better for everyone to perform the mitzvah on their own (which would cause less of an interruption). The Shevet Halevi points out that the disagreement is only when there is an opportunity for everyone to perform the mitzvah together. In our case, where this individual already davened, there would be no disagreement that he need not interrupt learning Torah to answer Amen.

Sefer Pischa Zuta (OC 1:5) writes that if one is sitting in a different room, he need not even stop his learning to answer Kedusha.

____________________________________________________

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.