Cell phones during Davening or Shiurim
Using a cell phone during davening or during a shiur is a very serious problem. If the cell phone rings during a shiur, it can cause a bitul Torah derabim, a disturbance of the learning of many people. Likewise, during davening it disturbs other people’s kavanah, concentration; one may not even walk within four amos in front of a person who is davening the amidah, how much more of a distraction is a ringing phone! Even if the cell phone is on vibrate mode and others don’t hear it, it still disturbs the owner since they cannot focus on davening while constantly being preoccupied with the possibility that their cell phone might vibrate at any moment?or that a call has come in. This is inappropriate in a shul or beis medrash, and it is a considered a form of kalus rosh, disrespect. One would certainly not check their e-mails or text messages while speaking to a mortal king, how much more improper is it while speaking to the King of kings! Cell phones should be turned off or put in airplane mode before entering a shul or beis medrash, unless one is a medical professional or a member of hatzalah and is required to attend to emergencies. #264?1
1 כבר שקו״ט בזה בכ״מ בספרים ובקו״ק וכו׳. ולהעיר משו״ע אדה״ז או״ח סצ״ו ס״א. סצ״ח ס״א. ואכ״מ. וראה שו״ת משנת יוסף ח״ד סי״ד. להורות נתן חי״א סי׳ ס. וראה מש״כ בהעו״ב נצו״י ש״פ תשע״א.