Looking away during the Shemoneh Esrei and engaging in other things during Birkat HaMazon
Question
Is it permitted in the middle of the Shemoneh Esrei to move one’s eyes away from the siddur and look at something else? And regarding Birkat HaMazon, is it permitted, while reciting it, to signal to someone with one’s mouth or hand?
Thank you very much.
Answer
Shalom u’vracha.
A. It is forbidden to look outside, away from the siddur.
B. It is forbidden to signal or to engage in anything else.
See the sources below.
Source
Regarding looking outside of the siddur, see here:
Mishnah Berurah (siman 90, se’if katan 63): “He should close his eyes or pray from the siddur and not look outside, so that he not come to a loss of concentration because of something intervening in front of him.”
Mishnah Berurah (siman 95, se’if katan 5): “The later authorities wrote that anyone who does not close his eyes at the time of the Shemoneh Esrei does not merit to see the Countenance of the Shechinah when his soul departs; but if he prays from a siddur and his eyes are open in order to look into it, we have no objection.”
Mishnah Berurah (siman 91, se’if katan 6): “It is stated in the Zohar (Va’etchanan): one who stands in prayer must cover his head and his eyes, so that he not gaze at the Shechinah. One who opens his eyes at the time of his prayer thereby brings upon himself the Angel of Death.”
Regarding doing anything during Birkat HaMazon, see here:
Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim, siman 191, se’if 3): “It is forbidden to do work while he is blessing.”
Mishnah Berurah (ad loc., se’if katan 5): “Because it appears as though he blesses in a casual and incidental manner, and even light use (a minor act) is forbidden.”
