Is it permitted to read a newspaper before davening? If someone asks me to bring him the newspaper before he davened is it wrong for me to do so?
Answer:
To glance through headlines, which is only a minor action, is fine. It is not permitted however to read the newspaper in depth.
If somebody asks for the newspaper you can bring it for him.
Sources:
See Halichos Shlomo 2:5.
Although it is forbidden to perform a “melachah” or attend to one’s personal needs before davening (Orach Chaim 89:3), a small action, such as merely glancing through headlines and the like, is not included in this.
This is based on the Shulchan Aruch Ha-Rav, who explains that the reason for the prohibition is because one should not engage one’s mind in anything that can distract a person from davening.
Others are more stringent in this matter: See Piskei Teshuvos, siman 89, no. 14 (p. 670).
The Shevet HaKehosi notes that even if reading a newspaper was not prohibited on account of attending to needs before davening, another reason why reading the paper is a problem is that one may not begin davening in a state of anger (Shulchan Aruch 93:2-3), but only in happiness. Reading a newspaper usually sours one’s mood, so that it is not recommended.