Q. On prior question (2405) you quoted Rav Miller ruling that one should not shake off dandruff from his clothing during shemone essreh. Why not? If someone is addressing an important meeting, would you not expect to correct his tie properly or wipe his nose while he is speaking if necessary? Would one not set his taalis properly or fix his hat during shemone essreh?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 77: 3) rules that one should not remove an insect with his hand or pick up his taalis if it fell to the floor, during the amida, as it is considered a hefsek. Therefore, any unnecessary action that does not constitute a part of the tefilah should be avoided if possible.
Horav Dovid Pam and Horav Aaron Miller Shlit’a maintain, that if it having the dandruff on himself bothers the individual davening and disturbs his concentration, he should shake it off even during the amida. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a