I always read during the rabbi’s speeches for two simple reasons. 1. He sees fit to read a sefer during my Chazarat Hashatz. If he won’t pay attention to me, when I present davening that hearkens back to the neviim and chazal, why should I pay attention to him and 2. The books I bring with me are far more interesting to me than his drashot. As it happens, I’ rather grateful for his long winded speeches. I’ve gotten alot of useful reading done.
While we’re on the subject, has anyone noticed that the quality of rabbinic homoletics has seriously declined? Rabbis used to deliver some sort of learned exegesis, or at least some moral and ethical teachings. Now all I ever hear is silly and trite “feel good” drivel. It’s basically Deepak Chopra with a Jewish lilt. Where have our orators gone?