Dirshu Mishnah Berurah

The Halacha discusses a number of elements concerning nakedness during saying Shema and other prayers/ blessings. Apart from covering our nakedness we need to have a separation between the heart and our lower body - often referred to as a 'gartel'.

Saying Shema should not be done if nakedness could lead to improper thoughts and the Halacha teaches us under what conditions material separations are needed to ensure the correct level of sanctity.

Continued application of the principle of being occupied in one mitzvah exempts you from performing another mitzvah

Laws of mourning are suspended during Shabbos and Yom Tov. In communities where burial is allowed to take place on Yom Tov, exemptions from Shema and other mitzvot return.

The importance of taking care of the burial of a close relative overrides mitzvot and specifically here, the mitzvah of Shema.

We discuss the concept of being occupied in one mitzvah exempts you from another (Shema) and the boundaries of this exemption

We explore the exemption of women and young children from the obligation of saying Shema and the concept of time bound mitzvahs.

Completion of the topic of repeating a 'part of Shema' to allow the saying of kadish and brochu for those who come late to shul. 

A discussion of the practice of poreis Al Shema where latecomers come to shul and we allow Borchu to be said together with part of Shema on their behalf.

Questions of different minhagim surrounding the insertion of piyutim within the blessings of Shema - some halachic considerations on whether they constitute an interruption to the prayers and whether one should say them.

The principle of when we repeat biblically ordained mitzvot and those of rabbinic decree in questions of doubt.

The joining of go'al Yisrael brocha and start of Amida should not be interrupted even for kaddish and kedusha 

Are there any circumstances when interruptions are allowed between mentioning the redemption from Egypt and starting the Amida?

A discussion on the opinions whether a Cohen (or non-Cohen) can interrupt Shema to get called to the Torah.

When and how do we interrupt saying Shema to put on tallis, tefillin, and to answer parts of davening from the chazan? All will be revealed.

A discussion of when one can interrupt the saying of Shema to greet someone or respond to another’s greeting.

When should you interrupt what you are doing to join with the community in saying Shema even if you have already fulfilled your mitzvah of saying it?

The Halacha discusses when you need to return to the start of Shema if there is a long pause in the middle.

Reading Shema correctly. What should you do if you are unsure if you have missed out a verse or word from Shema?

The importance of having proper intent for the first possuk of Shema and the requirements to say the words in order of the remaining sections.

The preference is to say Shema seated but what should you do if you are travelling and on the move?

Shema can be recited in any language you understand although the preference is Hebrew. Ideally, each word should be spoken and audible to the speaker.

Discussion of care needed for reading Shema and from the Torah, the difference between a sheva na and sheva nach, and although precision is ideal, without it you still fulfil your Shema obligation.

The importance of reading each letter and word of Shema correctly.

What are the thoughts and intentions we need to keep in mind when we say ‘Echad’ in Shema and what are the laws of extending the length of letters?