Holding a Baby During Birkat Hamazon
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Question
Hello, Is it permissible for a person to recite a blessing while sitting and holding a baby? And if it concerns Birkat Hamazon, in the section 'HaRachaman', is the answer the same?
Answer
Hello,
It is forbidden to hold anything that distracts one's attention during the blessing, both at the beginning and at the end of the blessing.
Source
This law originates from the laws of prayer (Shulchan Aruch, Siman 96, Seif 1): When he prays, he should not hold in his hand tefillin, nor a book of the Holy Scriptures, nor a full bowl, nor a knife, nor money, nor bread.
And there, the Baruch Yosef writes (Subsection 1): The same applies to placing a child in front of him during prayer.
And there, the Mishnah Berurah writes (there, Subsection 1): When he prays - in Pri Megadim it is written that the same applies during the recitation of Shema and Pesukei Dezimra.
Therefore, this is not a law only for a blessing from the Torah, or the main part of prayer and blessing, but for any part of it. Therefore, the same applies to 'HaRachaman' at the end of Birkat Hamazon.