Hi Rabbi
Ben Gedalya kindly patched me this morning live to hear the Torah reading at Shacharis.
Is it OK to answer amen to the birchot ha-Torah etc over the phone as it is in real time or is this not appropriate due to not being physically present?
Thanks
Shimon
Dear Shimon
TY for your interesting question.
There are different views on this, but I would say that since you made specific arrangements to listen to the Torah reading in this way, it would be appropriate to answer “amen”. (Whether one can fulfil an obligation in this way, eg the reading of the megillah on Purim, is doubtful. Nevertheless, there are those who rely on this in extremis.)
Best wishes
Rabbi Rashi Simon