Hilchos Boruch Hu U'voruch Shemo & Amein
 
960. Generally, one who hears someone saying "Boruch Attah Hashem" (i.e. making a beracha) should respond with "Boruch Hu U'voruch Shemo" (Blessed is He and blessed is His Name). Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:5
 
961. This is hinted at in the possuk (Devarim 32:3) "Ki Shem Hashem Ekrah Hovu Godel Lailokeinu" (When I call the name of Hashem - Bring greatness to our God), and the possuk (Mishlei 10:7) "Zecher Tzaddik Levracha" ("When a righteous person's name is mentioned he should be blessed"- certainly when the righteous one of the world is mentioned).
Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:5, Mes. Yoma 37a
 
962. If one is at a point during davening when one may not interrupt such as during Pesukei D'Zimrah or Birchos Krias Shema one may not respond "Boruch Hu U'voruch Shemo".
Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:5
 
963. When one is making a beracha that is very short (e.g. Pokeiach Ivrim) the one making the beracha (e.g. The Chazzan) must be especially careful to pause to allow those listening to respond "Boruch Hu U'voruch Shemo" and then still be able to hear the final words of the beracha to be able to timely respond with "Amein" as required. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:5
 
964. If one is listening to a beracha that one is obligated to be yotze oneself such as Kiddush, Havdalah, Shofar, or Megillah one should not respond "Boruch Hu U'voruch Shemo" because it will be a hefsek (interruption) in middle of one's own beracha. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:5
 
965. Nevertheless, the Mishnah Brurah rules that Bidieved if one did interrupt with "Boruch Hu U'voruch Shemo" one is yotze and need not repeat the beracha. However, Rav Moshe Feinstein disagrees and rules that one has not fulfilled that beracha and must repeat it. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:5, S'U Maharm Shik 51, Igros Moshe OC 2:94
 
966. One should be mindful to carefully pronounce each word when responding "Boruch Hu U'voruch Shemo", and be especially vigilant to pronounce the letter "Vuv" of U'voruch. Piskei Tshuvos 124:11, Kaf Hachaim 124:29, Boruch She'omar
 
967. One should be careful to wait until after one hears the complete name of Hashem before responding "Boruch Hu U'voruch Shemo", and not to begin once one already hears the words "Melech Haolom". Piskei Tshuvos 124:11, Maginei Chaim, Shulchan Hatahor 10
 
968. Rav Eliyahu Lopian would repeat the following amazing thought in the name of R' Simcha Zissel Broide (aka The Alter of Kelm), one of the prime students of R' Yisroel Salanter;
 
>> It would be worthy for Hashem to create the entire universe and cause it to exist for 6000 years just so that one Jew would say "Boruch Hu U'voruch Shemo" one time!
 
>>However, 1000 "Boruch Hu U'voruch Shemo's" is not equal to one "Amein"!
>>Nevertheless, 1000 Amein's is not equal to one "Amein Yehei Shemei Rabbah"!
>>Yet, 1000 "Amein Yehei Shemei Rabbah's" is not equal to one single word of Torah learnt by one Jew!
 
969. The accepted custom is to only respond "Boruch Hu U'voruch Shemo" when hearing the name of Hashem in a beracha, and not to every mention of the name of Hashem. Piskei Tshuvos 124:11, Mekor Chaim L'Chavas Yair 124:5, Tehilla L'Dovid 124:3, Devar Shmuel 295, Magein Giborim 124:11
 
970. The only exception is that some have the custom to respond "Boruch Hu U'voruch Shemo" when the Kohanim say the name of Hashem while blessing the Tzibbur because it is akin to the mention of the "Shem Hamiforash" (the true name of Hashem) by the Kohanim in the Bais Hamikdash. Piskei Tshuvos 124:11, Kaf Hachaim 124:27, Ben Ish Chai Tetzaveh 15
 
971. When one hears another Jew recite a beracha (even a blessing without the name of Hashem - e.g. a Mishebairach by the Gabbai at the Torah) one must respond "Amein".
Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:6, 189:5, 215:2,9
 
972. The root of the word "Amein" means belief or trust, and thus one is thereby declaring (and should think/concentrate) "I believe in the truth of the blessing and I affirm its truth".
Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:6
 
973. When answering Amein one should also think that it includes the beginning of the beracha "Blessed are you Hashem" and one is declaring "Amein, the name of Hashem should be blessed". Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:6 MB25
 
974. When answering Amein to a beracha of tefillah which includes a request from Hashem (e.g. Attah Chonen L'Adam Da'as) one should think "Amein, it is true that Hashem is the source of this blessing (e.g. of knowledge) and I entreat Hashem to fulfill this prayer (e.g. bless us with knowledge)". Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:6 MB25
975. This awesome story from the Kaf Hachaim (124:30) and R' Shloma Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo end of sefer) reveals how severe the punishment for not answering "Amein" to a Bracha can be. "Rav Mordechai Yaffo (known as the "Levush") once went to study by a great Sephardic Scholar named Rabbi Abohav. One day Rabbi Abohav's son made a Beracha and everyone answered "Amein" except for Rabbi Yaffo. Rabbi Abohav was so angry with him that he excommunicated him. After 30 days, Rabbi Yaffo asked forgiveness which Rabbi Abohav granted. Rabbi Abohav then told him the following story depicting the severe punishment for not answering "Amein," explaining that he excommunicated him to save him from a much harsher punishment.

"Before the expulsion of The Jews in Spain in 1492, there were holy Jewish communities there. The evil Torquemada, leader of the Inquisition attempted to expel them many times, but there was one pious Jew whom King Ferdinand respected and he would always save the Jews from expulsion. After one such edict, the Jews came to the king's friend begging him to intervene on their behalf. He agreed to go to the King, but wished to daven Mincha (say his afternoon prayers) first. They persuaded him to go immediately, since it was a matter of life or death. The King was very happy to see him, and they started conversing about the decree. Meanwhile, a priest came in and started to bless the King with a long Latin blessing. The Jew, who had not yet davened Mincha, withdrew to a corner and started to daven, hoping that he would finish davening  before the priest would conclude his blessing, thus his absence would go unnoticed. The priest, however, concluded his blessing while the Jew was still davening Mincha, and called upon everyone present to answer (the Latin equivalent of) "Amein" on his blessing. Everyone answered "Amein" except the Jew who was still davening. Afterwards, the priest asked the Jew if he answered "Amein" to his blessing. When the pious Jew told him that he didn't answer "Amein," the priest flew into a rage. He started ripping his hair out, screaming that now his blessing would not be fulfilled because the Jew didn't answer "Amein." When the King Ferdinand heard this, he also became furious and ordered the Jew killed with a cruel death and his body sent home. He then, together with Queen Isabella signed the final edict expelling all the Jews from Spain by Tisha B'Av 1492.

A close friend of the murdered Jew fasted for many days to be allowed to know what sin this pious Jew had committed to deserve such a brutal death. The murdered Jew appeared to his friend in a dream and explained to him that one time, (and only one time), he neglected to answer "Amein" to his child's blessing. Until this incident the Heavenly Court did not prosecute him. However, when this priest got angry over his lack of saying "Amein," the Heavenly Court prosecuted him and sentenced him to die such a horrible death."
"Rabbi Abohav concluded; "Heaven will forgive you on the condition that you publicize this story, and warn everyone to be careful and always answer 'Amein'."

976. When answering Amein to Kaddish one should think about the future Redemption when Hashem will reveal the Moshiach, and pray that the entire world should recognize the (one) kingdom of Hashem speedily and in our days. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:6 MB25
 
977. When answering Amein to the beracha (of the chazzan) in Shemona Esrei "Hamachzir Shechinaso Litziyon" one must pause before beginning "Modim" as the Amein is a response to the just completed beracha, and not on "Modim". Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:6 MB25
 
978. If one hears two berachos at the same time one should answer Amein twice by saying "Amein V'Amein". Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:6 MB25
 
979. If one only hears the end of a beracha, or if one knows which beracha the person just completed even if he did not hear the beracha, one may nevertheless answer Amein. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 215:2 MB6 see also Biur Halacha
 
980. One should answer Amein when hearing someone else say each of the "Harachaman's" at the end of Bircas Hamazon. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 215:2
 
981. R' Moshe Feinstein rules that one should answer Amein to a beracha heard over a telephone. Other poskim rule that one may answer Amein. S'U Igros Moshe OC:4:91, S'U Minchas Elazar 2:72, Shearim Mitzuyanim Behalacha 6:5, S'U Yechave Da'as 2:68
 
982. If one hears a complete beracha made by an Apikores (i.e. a Jew who is suspected of believing in Avodah Zorah) or a Jew who identifies himself as Conservative or Reformed (see Igros Moshe 2:50); one should answer Amein to the beracha. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 215:2 MB12
 
983. The reason is because we assume that since he mentioned the name of Hashem his intention with this beracha was proper. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 215:2 MB12
 
984. If one hears a complete beracha made by a non-Jew who believes in Avodah Zorah one is permitted, but not required to answer Amein. (reason for permit is the same as in #983). Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 215:2 MB12
 
985. However, the custom of Sefardim (which follows the opinion of the Rambam) is to not answer Amein when hearing a beracha made by a non-Jew unless the non-Jew is a Muslim, because their intent is not for Avodah Zorah. Kaf Hachaim 215:14,15
 
986. When one is teaching a child (or an adult - e.g. a Baal Tshuva) to make berachos it is permitted for both the adult and the child to say the name of Hashem even when the beracha is just being practiced and is not applicable to a particular mitzvah or food at the time. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 215:3 MB14
 
987. If one hears a beracha being made over a microphone/loudspeaker system, it depends; if one is close enough that one would have heard the beracha without the loudspeaker one should  answer Amein; if one would not have otherwise heard the beracha one may answer Amein. S'U Minchas Shlomo 1:9, see also Biur Halacha 215: dh"Chayav"
 
988. R' Shlomo Zalman Auerbach ruled that one should answer Amein when one is c'v sitting shiva and is consoled by another with "Homokom Yenachem Eschem etc." Piskei Tshuvos 215:7:42
 
989. R' Shlomo Zalman Auerbach was very careful to always answer Amein to each Mi Shebeirach made by the Gabbai because one is thereby fulfilling the Mitzvah of "Ve'ahavta Leray'acha Komoicha" - Love thy fellow as yourself. Halichos Shlomo 12:68, Aruch Hashulchan 215:
 
990. If one hears someone else making a beracha on a food that one is personally Machmir (stringent) not to eat (e.g. Pas Palter - Non-Jewish commercially baked bread) one must nevertheless answer Amein to the beracha. S'U Birkei Yosef 196:4
 
991. Sefardim - for whom the custom is to only make one beracha on both the Tefillin Shel Rosh and Shey Yad, should nevertheless answer Amein when hearing an Ashkenazi make the 2nd beracha on the Shel Rosh. S'U Har Tzvi OC:1:38
 
992. The Chayei Odom writes that the punishment for one who neglects to answer Amein to a beracha is very great. Chayei Odom 6:1, Piskei Tshuvos 215:2
 
993. Therefore, if one finds himself in a situation where he suspects that those listening to his beracha will not answer Amein; one should make the beracha in an undertone, so as not to cause the listeners to sin by not saying Amein. Ben Ish Chai Par. Mas'ay 14, Piskei Tshuvos 215:2
 
994. If one hears a recorded beracha (e.g. on a CD, tape, or video) one should not answer Amein. Piskei Tshuvos 215:3
 
995. If one is in middle of davening (at a point where one is allowed to speak) or saying Tehillim and hears someone make a beracha, although one is permitted to answer Amein, one is not required to answer Amein if it will disturb his concentration. Aishel Avraham 215, Orchos Chaim 124:6, Shearim Hametzuyanim Behalacha 20:3, Piskei Tshuvos 215:4
 
996. If one is in middle of learning Torah and hears someone make a beracha, although one is permitted to answer Amein, one is not required to answer Amein if it will disturb his concentration and train of thought. Aishel Avraham 215, Orchos Chaim 124:6, Shearim Hametzuyanim Behalacha 20:3, Piskei Tshuvos 215:4
 
997. If one is learning in a shul while the Tzibbur is davening, although one is not obligated to answer Amein, one is required to stand up and say Kedusha, Borchu, and Modim with the Tzibbur. Halichos Shlomo 9:6, Piskei Tshuvos 215:4
 
998. There is a machlokes Ha'Poskim regarding one who hears (at a time when he is permitted to speak) the berachos of someone who is davening Shmona Esrei with a Tzibbur (because the person is davening too loudly); R' Shloma Zalman Auerbach rules that one should not answer Amein because Chazal did not say to answer Amein on the berachos of the silent Shmona Esrei. Halichos Shlomo 8:32, Piskei Tshuvos 215:5
 
999. On the other hand, R' Ovadia Yosef rules that one should answer Amein to such a beracha. He holds that the Takanah of Chazal to answer Amein included the berachos of the silent Shmona Esrei if one hears them. S'U Yabia Omer 8:10, Piskei Tshuvos 215:5
 
1000. If one hears (at a time when he is permitted to speak)  the berachos of someone who is davening Shmona Esrei without a Tzibbur, or someone who is davening Shmona Esrei with a Tzibbur on Rosh Hashana or Yom Kippur, one may answer Amein (even according to R' Shloma Zalman in #998), and according to some other Poskim, one must answer Amein. S'U Betzail Hachochma 5:164, Halichos Shlomo 8"32, Piskei Tshuvos 215::5
 
1001. The reason is because when one davens Shmona Esrei privately, or with a Tzibbur on the Yomim Noraim, one is permitted to raise his voice slightly. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 101:2, Piskei Tshuvos 215:5
 
1002. If one hears someone make a beracha on non-kosher food, one should not answer Amein. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 215:5, Piskei Tshuvos 215:11
 
1003. If one hears someone make a beracha on food at a time when one may not eat (e.g. on Tisha B'Av, or Yom Kippur), or Hamotzie on bread when the person did not first wash Netilas Yadayim, one should nevertheless answer Amein. Piskei Tshuvos 215:11
 
1004. If one hears someone make a beracha on stolen food, one should not answer Amein. Piskei Tshuvos 215:11
 
1005. A person who is c'v an Onen (the relative of one who died - for whom one will sit Shiva -and has not yet been buried) may not be Machmir and make berachos. Therefore, if one hears a beracha from an Onen one should not answer Amein. Minchas Shlomo1:91:5, Piskei Tshuvos 215:11
 
1006. One should not answer Amein to a beracha made by someone who is crazy or extremely intoxicated. Piskei Tshuvos 124:12
 
1007. There are four categories of errors in answering Amein which one must be mindful of; They are: Amein Chatufah, Amein Ketufah, Amein Yesomah, Amein Ketzarah. We will explain each of these next week, I'yh. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:8, Mes. Berachos 47a
 
1008 - 1016 Hilchos Tisha B'Av
 
1017. Amein Chatufah - literally a "snatched Amein". One must be careful to pronounce the letter Aleph of Amein with the correct vowel which is a "Kamatz". Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:8
 
1018. Another understanding of Amein Chatufah is that one must not answer Amein until the person completes the last word of the beracha. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:8
 
1019. Amein Ketufah - literally a "snipped Amein". One must be careful not to slur the pronunciation of the Aleph or Mem. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:8
 
1020. Another understanding of Amein Ketufah is that one must be careful to not cut off the last letter, Nun.  Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:8, See Biur Halacha
 
1021. Amein Yesomah - literally an "orphaned Amein". An Amein may not be made when it is not in direct contact with the beracha. One must be careful to answer Amein within three seconds of the completion of the beracha and before the chazzan has started saying the next beracha. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:8
 
1022. Two other understandings of Amein Yesomah are A) One may not answer Amein to a beracha that is unknown. That is, one has not heard the beracha and is unaware which beracha was just said. B) One may not answer Amein to a beracha which one is trying to be yotze with, (e.g. Kiddush or Havdalah) unless one heard the complete beracha. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:8
 
1023. Amein Ketzarah - literally a "shortened Amein". One must be careful to not rush and shorten the Amein so that it seems to be a burden which he is anxious to complete. Rather, one should say it slowly and carefully. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:8
 
1024. One should say each Amein for as long as it takes to say the words "Kail Melech Ne'eman", which Amein is an ancronym for. However, one should not stretch the Amein unnaturally. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:8
 
1025. If the chazzan completes a beracha of Shmona Esrei and quickly begins the next berecha before the tzibbur has responded with Amein, the tzibbur may no longer answer Amein. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:9 MB37
 
1026. Therefore, it is incumbent on the chazzan to be vigilant to wait for most of the tzibbur to complete Amein before beginning the next beracha. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:9 MB37
 
1027. When saying Kaddish the Chazzan must be vigilant to wait for the tzibbur to answer Amein before continuing the next words of Kaddish. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 124:9 MB37
 
1028. However, at "Amein Yehey Shemai Rabbah..." once the tzibbur has said the word Amein it is not a problem for the chazzan to continue because the tzibbur is not relying on the chazzan to be yotze the words "Yehey Shemai Rabbah...." inasmuch as they are saying these words themselves. Halichos Shlomo citing R' Shloma Zalman Auerbach 6:17, Piskei Tshuvos 124:15 fn:152