The Shulhan Aruch (6:4) mentions a practice which some people observe – to recite the Birchot Ha’shahar (morning blessings) aloud to one another in the synagogue, to give each other the opportunity to answer "Amen" to all these Berachot. Several people come together, and they take turns reciting the Berachot, and those who listen answer "Amen" to each Beracha they hear. The Mishna Berura (Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radin, 1839-1933) explains that this practice is observed in order to facilitate ninety "Amen" responses each day. Alongside the requirement to recite 100 Berachot each day – which is generally done by simply following the standard regimen of prayers and Berachot – it is proper to try to answer "Amen" ninety times over the course of every day. As this can sometimes be difficult, the custom developed that people form groups in the morning and recite Birchot Ha’shahar aloud to one another, in order to facilitate additional "Amen" responses.
At first glance, we might have questioned the validity of this practice, as one perhaps fulfills his obligation by listening to another person’s recitation of the Berachot, and so if he then repeats the Berachot, these are considered to have been recited in vain. In truth, however, as the Shulhan Aruch notes, this practice is perfectly valid, because the one reciting the Berachot does not have in mind for the others to fulfill their obligation through his recitation. And, even if he does, the others – who are planning to recite the Berachot on their own after him – certainly do not have in mind to fulfill their obligation by listening to his recitation. As we know, one fulfills his obligation by listening to another person’s recitation only if both the one reciting and the one listening have this in mind. (This is why some have the practice to announce "Shamayim" when somebody prepares to recite a Beracha for others. This word is announced as an acrostic for "Shome’a, Mashmia, Yahdav Mechavnim" – "The listener and the one reciting together have intention.") Certainly, then, this practice, of people reciting Birchot Ha’shahar aloud to one another to give them the opportunity to answer "Amen" numerous times, is legitimate, and even admirable. We should also add that if they respond "Baruch Hu U’baruch Shemo" to the mention of G-d’s Name in the Beracha, then they certainly do not fulfill their requirement by listening to the recitation, as this constitutes a "Hefsek" (disqualifying interruption).
Even those who do not follow this practice every morning should learn from this custom of the value of reciting Berachot aloud, in order to give others the opportunity to earn the great merit of answering "Amen." Whenever a person recites a Beracha when others are present, it is proper to make a point of reciting the Beracha aloud, so they can answer "Amen."
Summary: It is proper to try to answer "Amen" to a Beracha at least ninety times every day. In order to help ensure that this total is reached, some have the custom in the morning to form groups for the recitation of Birchot Ha’shahar, and taking turns reciting the Berachot aloud, so they all have the opportunity to recite "Amen" numerous times. This is a worthwhile practice to observe. More generally, it is proper whenever reciting a Beracha in the presence of other people to do so audibly, to give them the opportunity to answer "Amen."
