Chilling Words: The Seriousness of Talking During Prayer

1. "It is forbidden to engage in conversation or behave frivolously in the synagogue as we stand before our King, the Master of the Universe, blessed be His name. Woe to the wicked who act with irreverence and lack the awe of Hashem upon them, fearing neither Him nor His greatness". (Sefer Chassidim, Siman 18).

2. "How can one dare stand before the King of Kings, Hashem, and utter words unrelated to prayer while the congregation praises and glorifies the Almighty? In our many sins, this sin delays the redemption as explained in the holy Zohar. Those who engage in mundane talk in the holy synagogue publicly dishonor Hashem within the assembly, during the sacred hours designated for praise and honor in the holy place designed to serve the King, Hashem of hosts, and accept His sovereignty. In our many sins, they cast off the yoke of the Kingdom and ignore the words recited upon entering the synagogue 'How awesome is this place.' Where is the honor, and where is the awe?" (Derech Moshe by Rabbi Moshe Kahane zt"l, Av Beit Din in the lands of Mehrin and Poland).

3. "There is one thing about which the entire world should raise an outcry, saying 'Woe, for we have sinned, we have strayed like sheep.' Even one who winks or signals with his hands during prayer is addressed by the verse 'It is not Me you have called, Jacob.' All the more so for one who interrupts with idle words, between sections or during the repetition of the prayer, for he removes the fear of heaven from himself in the holy place where one must stand with awe and great reverence, for it is a holy sanctuary of the King". (Siddur Yaavetz, introduction to Beit El).

4. "Anyone who speaks in the synagogue while the congregation is engaged in praising Hashem shows he has no portion in the God of Israel". (Shulchan Aruch HaRav, Siman 124).

5. "Woe to those who engage in idle talk or laughter during prayer, for we have seen firsthand how many synagogues have been destroyed due to irreverence". (Mishnah Berurah, Siman 124, Sif Katan 27, quoting Eliyahu Rabba and Kol Bo).

6. "All these matters refer not only to the repetition of the amidah but also to those who speak during the reading of the Torah or other parts of the prayer service when the congregation gathers in prayer, which is a time favorable in His eyes, blessed be He, to reveal Himself and draw near to a small sanctuary. One who engages in their needs at this time shows himself uninterested in contemplating and seeing the revelation of His glorious kingdom, becoming an impure vehicle, causing the prayers to enter the forces of the external. Even outside prayer times, one should refrain from speaking in synagogues and houses of study". (Piskei Teshuvot, Orach Chaim, Siman 124, Letter 7).

7. "Hashem, in His mercy and kindness, left us a small sanctuary – the synagogue and the study house. If we act with holiness in them, they maintain the holiness of the Land of Israel, and prayers are sent to the gates of heaven. But if, Heaven forbid, we act with disgrace and engage in idle talk, the foul breath of idle talk becomes impure and the foreign minister resides in the synagogue, taking ownership, and receives the prayers, sending them to the impure forces, which is akin to idol worship". (Sermons of Chatam Sofer, Discourse for the 7th of Av, Page 399b).

Speaking During Prayer:

• The sin is too great to bear (Shulchan Aruch).
• Violates the biblical prohibition of "revere My sanctuary" (Sefer Mitzvot Kattan and Gadol).
• Causes prayers to enter impure forces (Sermons of Chatam Sofer).
• Similar to idol worship (Sermons of Chatam Sofer).
• Delays redemption (Sefer "HaYashar VeHaTov").
• Dismisses the Divine Presence (Ohr HaTzadikim).
• Strengthens the evil inclination (Rabbi Avraham Halevi zt"l, father of the Shelah, in "Yes Nochlim").
• Creates destructive angels that harm during a pandemic (Writings of Ari z"l).
• Better off praying at home alone forever (Chida in his book "Birkei Yosef").
• Prayers become dirty with sins and are not accepted (Rabbi Shabtai Shafte Halevi Horowitz zt"l, son of the Shelah, in "Vei HaAmudim").
• A cloud is formed from one's breath that prevents the prayer from ascending (Rabbi Yonatan Eibeshitz zt"l in "Ya'arot Dvash").
• Causes harm to body and soul, to oneself and others, as they inhale impure breath and it strengthens their evil inclination (Rabbi Baruch of Kosov zt"l in "Yesod HaEmunah").

Who Does Not Speak During Prayer:

• "All the blessings written in the Torah of Moses our teacher, peace be upon him, and in all the books of the prophets will rest upon him: He will see worthy descendants, alive and enduring. He will merit two tables in two worlds: this world, about which it is said 'And it was good', and the next world, which is a day that is entirely long and also good". (Rebbe of Tosafot Yom Tov)
• "He will see offspring, live long, the wish of Hashem in his hand will succeed, he will not die in corruption, nor lack his bread... No curses will rule over him, and he will enter the study house in the world to come". (Rabbi Chaim Palagi zt"l in his book "Tochachot Chaim", Parashat Terumah)
• "For this reward, Hashem will protect him from all distress and hardship and from all plagues and illness. He will merit seeing sons who are alive and enduring, and they will grow up to Torah, marriage, and good deeds and a long life. Blessing and success will accompany all his work, and he will rise in wealth and honor, and he will be crowned with the crown of the wise, and he will merit to ascend for the pilgrimage with all his brethren, Israel, three times a year, to serve Hashem our God in truth and sincerity". (Sha'ar Ephraim, halachot Kriyat HaTorah)

Also read:

Who Is in Your Synagogue – The Divine Presence or the Angel of Death? You May Be Shocked to Discover

After death, he appeared in a dream with a chilling message he asked to be shared with the public. Listen to the true story from Rabbi Eliyahu Amar, and spread it to family and friends: