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Why do we say Boruch Shem Kevod Malchuso L'Olam Voed in Kriyas Shema in a whisper?

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...and why do we shout it on Yom Kippur? – jutky Nov 18 '10 at 21:26
We say it out loud on Yom Kippur since we are compared to Angels on that day. The question is if so we should skip it the rest of the year and only say it on Yom Kippur. Why say it and say it quitely? – Gershon Gold Nov 18 '10 at 22:06
Is there a source for "shouting" it? – YDK Nov 19 '10 at 6:15
I don't know, why do you whisper it? What is the difference, since you are allowed to whisper all of k'rias shema? – Adam Mosheh Feb 9 '12 at 1:57

3 Answers

up vote 11 down vote accepted
  1. This was a declaration of loyalty by the Shevatim on Yaakov's deathbed, so it's a worthwhile prayer. But since it's not a verse found in the Torah, we say it quietly (Pesachim 56a)
  2. This was a prayer of the angels so it's not appropriate for sinful mortals to say it aloud, except for on Yom Kippur

From the Artscroll Yom Kippur Machzor, pp.69-70

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Maharsha explains that Moshe was merely teaching the pasuk and there was no requirement to say BSKML"V. Yaakov's children were making a proclamation and there was a requirement. Out of respect to Moshe, we don't say it out loud. – YDK Nov 19 '10 at 6:08
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The Aruch haShulchan has a different approach: Rashi explains Shema that our G-d will, in the future, be the One G-d- accepted by all! It is reference to this future that we say BSKML"V, during a time when Hashem's honor is apparent. Moshe was not able to say it because of the Egel and other sins. Yaakovs children were tzadikim and able to say it. On Yom Kippur, we are like melachim and only do honor to Hashem's name and therefore say it like bnai yaakov. – YDK Nov 19 '10 at 6:14
Its a high expression of praise that the angels say. Humans may say it too, but only whisper it. It would be too brazen to say out loud normally. The exception is Yaakov on his deathbed, or a Jew on Yo"k, when we are at a level where it can be said out loud. – Ariel K Aug 12 '11 at 22:08
up vote 6 down vote

In the Torah, the verse of Shema is followed immediately by the verse of Ve'ahavtah (Devarim 6:4-5). So in a way, BSKML"V might be a hefsek. The Tzlach says that the Gemara is telling us that by whispering it, we are not making a break between Shema and Ve'ahavtah. (see page 13 of this document for this and other explanations).

[This doesn't answer why we say BSKML"V out loud on Yom Kippur. I didn't see the Tzlach inside, so maybe he addresses this issue.]

The Midrash (Devarim Raba 2:25) tells us that Moshe "stole" this prayer from the angels, and therefore we whisper it, to "hide it" from the angels. See here. This would explain why we say it aloud on Yom Kippur, since on Yom Kippur we are compared to angels, see here and here.

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up vote 1 down vote

When reciting Krias Shema without a Minyan, Rav Chaim Solveitzik Zatzal of Brisk used to say "Baruch Shem" out loud, as he was of the opinion that the problem of saying it out loud was only when it is recited with a Minyan.

He obviously maintained the other reason, that the heavenly angels will be jealous of us saying such an exalted praise, and not the reason of the Mishna Berura 61:30 on Yaakov Avinu and the Shevatim. See Shu"t Teshuvos V'Hanhagos from Rav Moshe Sternbuch Shlita Vol. 2 Siman 46

Source : http://halachafortoday.com/archives3.aspx

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What problem did he see with saying it aloud when with a minyan? – Isaac Moses Jul 11 '11 at 16:06

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