Standing during the Shema Recitation
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Question
If an evening prayer minyan is organized in a mourner's house, and there are about 6 chairs but around 12 people, and there are available chairs - if no one is sitting - is it correct to sit for the recitation of the Shema and its blessings, or to continue standing?
Answer
Hello,
There is a difference between the morning and evening prayers.
In the morning, there is no issue with sitting for the recitation of the Shema, but it is forbidden to stand to read it.
In the evening, it is the opposite; it is forbidden to sit for the reading, but standing is allowed.
The reason for this is that according to Beit Shammai, in the morning one should read standing, and in the evening, one should read specifically while reclining and not standing. Therefore, if one stands in the morning or sits in the evening to read, it appears as if one is trying to be stringent like Beit Shammai, and this is considered a transgression.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Siman 63, Seif 2, Mishnah Berurah, Seif Katan 7