Musar for Berakhot 31:23
אם כן לימא קרא בלכת מאי בלכתך שמע מינה בלכת דידך הוא דמחייבת הא דמצוה פטירת
In that case, the All-merciful should have written "when walking." What means "when thou walkest"? Deduce from this, [it means] when walking for thine own purpose thou art under the obligation [to read the Shema'] ; but when it is the performance of a religious duty, thou art exempt.
Mesilat Yesharim
They likewise exempted hired workers from reciting the (Hamotzi) blessing over bread and from the last blessing of the grace after meals (Birkat Hamazon). And even in the case of reciting the Shema, they required them to pause from their work only for the first chapter (Berachoth 16b). How much more so for things that are optional. And if he transgresses this, he is considered a thief.
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