Igros Moshe (OC IV #19) Question: Is it permitted to be studying Torah during Repetition of Amida? Answer It seems that Magen Avraham doesn’t object as long as amen is said at end of each beracha. However others object because others might learn from this to ignore selichos and other prayers as well as not to answer amen. This is true if there are 10 people listening to the full repetition. However if there are less than 10 it is prohibited since according to the original decree there needs to be 10 people listening to the entire repetition. Therefore if there are only 9 people participating fully and answering amen, it could be that the beracha said by the shliach tzibor is considered in vain Therefore everyone should view himself as part of the essential ten. Consequently it is forbidden to learn during the repetition of the amida
But if everyone in the room said their own amidah first, who is the chazaras haShatz for anyway?
ReplyDeletethe takana was for the ignorant. the question is it still needed? Even in the time of Rambam it was problematic and he considered abolishing it
DeleteAnd yes, you don't want to make an announcement "Is anyone here an ignoramus" before starting the repetition, I get that. But bottom line, outside of kedusha and modim, what's the chazarah adding to my davening and why can't I learn during it since it's not for me?
DeleteDo you even glance at the Mishna Berura?
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