Mishna Brachos Perek 2 (Copy)

(1) If one was reading [Shema] in the Torah, and it came time to recite [Shema]: If he directed his mind [and intended to fulfill his obligation to recite Shema as he read it], he has fulfilled his obligation. And if not, he has not fulfilled his obligation. At the breaks [between sections of Shema], one may greet another out of honor and return a greeting, and in the middle [of a section], one may greet out of fear and return a greeting. These are the words of Rabbi Meir. Rabbi Yehuda says: In the middle, one may greet out of fear and return a greeting out of honor, and at the breaks, one may greet out of honor and return a greeting to any person.

(2) These are the section breaks: Between the first and second blessings, between the second blessing and Shema, and between Shema and Vehayah im shamoa [second paragraph of the Shema], between Vehayah im shamoa and Vayomer [third paragraph of Shema], between Vayomer and Emet veyatziv [blessing after Shema]. Rabbi Yehuda says: Between Vayomer and Emet veyatziv -- one may not pause. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Karchah said: Why does Shema precede Vehayah im shamoa? So that one may accept the yoke of the kingdom of heaven first, and after that accept the yoke of the commandments. And [why does] Vehayah im shamoa [precede] Vayomer? Because Vehayah im shamoa applies during the day and at night, and Vayomer only applies during the day.