Arichus Yamim and Arichus Shanim

Shaarei Gan Eden

Amen and Brachos in the Teachings of a Baal Hayahrtzeit

One who answers amen should not hurry to answer, rather, he should prolong it a bit, about the time it takes to say “K-l Melech Ne’eman” (Shulchan Aruch 124 7), and Chazal promise (Brachos 47a): “Anyone who prolongs his amen has his days and years prolonged.”

In his hagahos on Shas (ibid) Rav Yitzchak Eizik explains that this is why Chazal reiterate that “his days and years are lengthened,” because the reward of one who prolongs his amen is double – he merits both “arichus yamim” in quality – that the days should be long in his eyes, because they are filled with goodness and blessing (see Shabbos 105b, Yevamos 63b), and “arichus shanim” – literally that years should be added to his life.