Speaking during the blessings of Shema
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Question
Is it permissible to speak during the morning prayer after the words: "Hashem Elokeichem Emes"? For example, in a situation where I am praying on the way to the seminary and I do not want to pray the Amidah sitting down, so I say Shema Yisrael and then the passages until "Hashem Elokeichem Emes" and then speak, and when I arrive at my studies, I continue the prayer from there. Is this allowed?
Answer
Shalom Rav,
Your question presents two possibilities.
A. If you are praying as usual, meaning the Shema with the blessings before and after it, and you stopped after the Shema to continue praying elsewhere, there is no permission to interrupt with any speech after the Shema, as the continuation is a blessing related to the Shema. It is also considered 'in the middle of the section' where it is forbidden to respond even to holy matters, except for certain things.
B. If you recited only the Shema without the blessings, you may speak after "Hashem Elokeichem Emes," and then continue the rest of the prayer.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Siman 66, Se'if 5