Hello Rav,
Q. I've seen in a few places that one should not say "Bless you" (or similar responses) when someone sneezes while in shul. One Rav said it was based on the fact that this would be an interruption in learning (see Baba Kamma 119a. Berakhoth 53a. Ben Yehoyada). I am wondering how to apply this today in our shuls and bais hamidrashos. Assuming that the sneeze is during a part of davening where it is permitted to speak, or when in the shul when davening is not happening (eg. while walking to your seat in the shul before davening begins)....Is it assur to answer Bless you? If its not actually assur, is it advisable to say Bless you or to not say anything? I feel that many people don't know this idea and might see it as rude if you don't. Would it be different if the person was actually sitting and learning in the bais hamedrish. I feel like our learning is not on the level that saying bless you would really be considered an interruption.
What is your advice?
Thanks so much,
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that on the places of the tefilah were you are not allowed to interrupt and speak you are also enjoined from exclaiming “Bless you” or any other similar expression. Uttering these responses to someone sneezing, are not similar to answering a greeting, that in some instances is permitted. (La’anos mipnei HaKavod – or to answer out of respect).
The Rov also maintains that when learning Torah, since people in our days often engage in minor unrelated conversations, they may also respond to a sneeze, when it is expected.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a
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