- Q. Kevod Horav Shlit”a. Since our Sages gave a very great importance and reward to one who answers Amen after hearing a Bracha, is it after the fact correct if one did so during the reciting of the Brachot of Shema?
A. Indeed our Sages established that whenever a person hears a brocho recited, he should answer Amen to acknowledge his agreement of that blessing.
Chazal viewed and regarded the recitation of Amen truly very highly.
In fact, they thought us that responding Amen is of greater significance than the reciting of the brocho itself. Also they maintain that he failure to answer Amen is considered a gross and great transgression, while responding Amen with great concentration opens the gates of Gan Eden .(Brachos 53b, Chayei Adam (Klal 6:1), Shabbos119b, Rashi Shabbos 119b. See also Shulchan Aruch O.H.124:6, Mishna Berura 124:24).
The letters of Amen are the root letters of the word Emunah, belief or trust. By responding Amen one declares: "I believe in the bracha that I have just heard and I affirm that it is true”.
However, Horav Aharon Miller Shlit”a maintains that the above only applies when it is correct to answer it and not when it should be omitted.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
Important Numbers
