Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (YD 244:1)
writes that there is a mitzva mideoraisa to stand for a talmid
chacham or anyone over seventy
years old. R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yechave Daas 3:70) writes that if one is uncertain whether the person is seventy,
one should stand regardless, following the principle of safek
deoraisa lechumra, that we are strict with regards to doubts of Torah laws.
The Shulchan Aruch (YD 244:11) further writes that if a talmid
chacham walks in while one is learning, one should interrupt their learning
to stand. The Aruch Hashulchan (YD 244:7) clarifies that this is consistent with other mitzvos that require interrupting one’s learning.
The Mishna (Berachos 2:1) and the Shulchan Aruch (OC
66:1) discuss when one can interrupt during shema and its berachos
for significant reasons. However, the Magen Avraham (66:1) and Mishna Berura
(66:2) note that, in practice, we do
not interrupt the Shema to speak to anyone.
R’ Eliezer Waldenberg
(Tzitz Eliezer 14:10) explains that one should stand while learning because it
does not constitute a proper hefsek. He states that while one should
stand during davening, one should refrain from standing if they are in
the middle of reciting the shema.
Nonetheless, R’ Moshe Sternbuch (Teshuvos Vehanhagos
4:22) argues that one should stand even while reciting the shema, particularly
since it is unlikely to disrupt one’s concentration (See Shevet Halevi
6:146:4). Similarly, the Ben Ish Chai (Ki Seitzei 2:15) emphasises that
honouring a talmid chacham is essentially honouring Hashem, and thus one
should stand even during the shema.
In conclusion, one must stand up when a Rav or elderly
person passes, even if one is davening and even while reciting the shema,
providing that it does not
disturb their concentration.
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