DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 2.29 MB)
Does One Answer “Amen” if He Did Not Hear the Beracha, or to a Beracha He Heard Via Broadcast?

Even if one did not hear a Beracha recited in its entirety, and heard only the end of the Beracha, he nevertheless recites "Amen." Thus, for example, if somebody is reciting "Asher Yasar," and another person comes along and hears him conclude, "U’mafli La’asot," he answers "Amen."

Hacham Ovadia Yosef adds that even if a person did not hear the Beracha at all, but he saw a person reciting a Beracha and he knows with certainty which Beracha is recited, then he answers "Amen." For example, if a person saw somebody leave the restroom and mutter to himself, it is clear that this individual recites "Asher Yasar," and so once he finishes, the other person answers "Amen," even though he did not hear the Beracha at all. Similarly, if a person sees somebody holding a fruit, mutter some words, and then bring the fruit to his mouth, he knows for certain that this individual just recited "Boreh Peri Ha’etz," and so he recites "Amen."

Hacham Ovadia ruled that one answers "Amen" to a Beracha which he heard over a live broadcast. Although one does not answer "Amen" after hearing the recording of a Beracha, he does answer "Amen" if he hears the Beracha live, either on the radio, by phone, or through other technological devices.

Summary: One answers "Amen" even if he heard only the end of a Beracha, and even if he did not hear the Beracha at all, but he saw somebody recite a Beracha and he knows which Beracha was recited (such as if he saw the person reciting a Beracha over an apple, or after leaving the restroom). One does not answer "Amen" after hearing the recording of a Beracha, but he does answer "Amen" to a Beracha he hears over a live broadcast.


 


Recent Daily Halachot...
When Should One Date the Ketuba?
The Wedding Ceremony Under the Hupa: "Birkat Erusin" and the Breaking of the Glass
If the Witnesses at a Wedding Ceremony Did Not Hear the Words, “Hareh At Mekudeshet Li”
Writing the Ketuba
Answering Amen Under the Hupa
Understanding the Last Two Berachot Recited Under the Hupa
The Ketuba – The Groom’s Oath, and Lifting a Handkerchief
Finding a Spouse: Recognizing God's Role, and Testing for Genetic Compatibility
Is it Preferable to Schedule a Wedding During the First Half of the Month?
The Yihud Procedure after the Wedding Ceremony
Does a Man Recite “Asher Yasar” after Marital Relations?
The Witnesses’ Confirmation Under the Hupa That the Ring is Worth a “Peruta”
Placing the Ring on the Bride’s Finger Under the Hupa
Attending a Wedding at the Expense of a Torah Class
May a Double Ring Ceremony be Performed Under the Hupa?
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found