Prayer and Blessings
When is it permitted and when is it forbidden to speak during prayer?
Laws of speaking during prayer
Question
What are the laws regarding speaking during prayer? Are there times when it is permitted to speak? What are the prohibitions and when do they apply?
Answer
Shalom u-vrachah
One may not speak in the middle of any blessing. It is also forbidden to speak from the blessing of Baruch She-amar until after the Shemoneh Esrei. It is permitted to answer to Kaddish, or to recite it, until after Yishtabach. From the blessing of Yotzer Or onward, one may answer only Amen, Yehei Shemei Rabbah, as well as Amen after the Kaddish of dAmiran Be-alma, and also after Ha-El Ha-kadosh and Shomea Tefillah. It is also permitted to say Barchu and Kedushah. During the Amidah prayer, it is forbidden to interrupt for anything at all.
With blessings - Binyamin Shmueli
