Folding Tallit and Tefillin During Kaddish
Question
Hi,
If someone is not in a rush during Shacharis, is it permitted for him to fold his tefillin or tallis while Kaddish is being said (whether by the shaliach tzibbur or by an individual)?
And if the person is in a rush, for example, he davened in a later minyan and knows that his wife may be struggling at home getting the children ready, would that be any different?
Answer
Shalom Uvracha,
It is forbidden to engage in any activity while Kaddish is being recited
and even to think about other matters during this time is prohibited.
Source
Mishnah Berurah, siman 56, se’if katan 1:
And in the sefer Mateh Moshe, siman 411, he brings in the name of a Midrash that a certain sage appeared to his student in a dream. The student saw that the sage had a mark on his forehead, and he asked him: “Why did this happen to you?”
He answered: “Because I was not careful to refrain from speaking when the chazzan was saying Kaddish.”
And even to think divrei Torah during Kaddish is forbidden, because one must focus properly when answering to the Kaddish.
