Learning Next to the Shul
Question: I often learn in the room next to the Beis Hamedrash while they are davening . Do I need to join in for Kaddish , Kedusha , or Barchu ? Answer: The Gemara (Berachos 8b) teaches that one must not walk behind a shul while the tzibbur is davening as this creates the false impression that the person is avoiding tefilla . There are several exceptions, such as where there is another shul nearby, in which case it can be assumed that he intends to daven there. This halacha is codified by Rambam (Tefilla U’birchas Kohanim 6:1) and the Shulchan Aruch (OC 90:8). R’ Yosef Shalom Elyashiv (cited in Rivevos Ephraim 1:89), explains that this concern applies only to someone physically present in the shul who refrains from responding. It does not apply to someone learning nearby or passing outside. R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo Tefilla 9:5; n8) rules that someone engaged in Torah learning while a nearby minyan is davening is generally exempt from responding to dev...