Hearing a Blessing While Driving
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Question
Hello. A person is driving and wants to recite the blessing 'Shehakol' and drink water. If there is someone next to him who recites the blessing 'Shehakol', can he, by answering 'Amen' (while driving, without stopping), intend to fulfill the obligation of the blessing on the water and thus be able to drink? Or is the concern that he will not concentrate on the blessing also valid for the concern that he will not intend by answering 'Amen'?
Answer
Hello
One can fulfill the obligation by hearing the blessing, as both the listener and the reciter intend to drink.
However, generally, if a person is not very focused, it is preferable for him to say the blessing himself rather than hear it from another person. Because the one who says the blessing, even if he did not concentrate properly, has fulfilled the obligation since he actually said the words. This is not the case for the listener; if he did not intend to fulfill the obligation, he has not fulfilled it.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Siman 167, Sif 19