In the Torah portion of Chayei Sarah, the Torah recounts how Yitzchak went out to pray in the field.
This relates to the recent phenomenon of praying Rosh Chodesh prayers on the beach at sunrise. (Usually these minyanim feature live music [for Hallel] and are followed by breakfast.) This article will focus on the issue of praying in an open area which, according to the Talmud and Shulchan Aruch, is problematic. This halacha needs to be understood in light of the fact that, as mentioned, Yitzchak prayed in a field. With G-d’s help, we will attempt to clarify this issue and apply it to the concept of Beach Minyanim.
Praying in a Valley Is Insolent
The Talmud (Brachot 34b) says that Rav Kahana said: “I consider one who prays in a valley to be impudent (אָמַר רַב כָהֲנָא: חֲצִיף עֲלַי מַאן דִמְצַלֵּי בְבַקְתָא ).”
Two reasons are offered for this law:
- Humility
Rashi explains that when praying indoors one can more easily be humble and broken-hearted whereas praying in a public area makes a person more “expansive” and is therefore considered insolent. - Distractions and Lack of Modesty
The Sefer Ha’Eshkol says that one who prays in an open space is more likely to be distracted by passers-by. (See below as to why this is considered insolent.) In addition, it’s considered immodest (to the point of insolence) to pray in a way that everyone can see him praying.
What Is the Halacha?
It has been pointed out that neither the Rif, Rambam, or Rosh quote this teaching of Rav Kahana and that perhaps they don’t accept it as the final halacha. Despite this, the Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 90:5), Shulchan Aruch Harav, and Mishnah Berurah all cite this halacha as final.
Details
Here are some details of this halacha:
- When Traveling
One who is traveling may pray in the open but should go to the side of the road where they will not be interrupted (as much) by fellow-travelers. - Open Roof
One may pray in an area that has walls even if it has no roof. - With a Minyan
Some say that one may pray outside if one is praying with a minyan. Perhaps the reason for this is that, when praying with a group, one can more easily stay focused on their prayers, even in an open area. Most authorities don’t cite this opinion, and, as such, may not agree with it. - In the Place of a Miracle
One may pray in the spot where a miracle occurred to them even if this is in the open as he will certainly be inspired to pray with greater concentration in this spot. - After the Fact
Although it’s considered insolent, one who prayed in an open area has fulfilled his obligation and need not repeat his prayers.
And Yitzchak Went out “Lasu’ach” in the Field
The Torah recounts that when Eliezer was returning to Canaan with Rivkah, Yitzchak was just then going out to the field. In the words of the Torah: וַיֵּצֵּא יִצְחָק לָשׂוּחַ בַשָדֶה. The commentaries explain this in different ways:
- To Pray
Rashi (based on Bereishit Rabbah 68:9, Avodah Zarah 7b and Berachot 26b) says that לָשׂוּחַ means to pray as in the verse תְפִלָה לְעָנִי כִי יַעֲטֹף וְלִפְנֵּי ה׳ יִשְפֹךְ שִׂיחוֹ “A prayer of an impoverished person, when he is faint and pours out his prayer before the L-rd.” Furthermore, Seforno explains that he was praying for a wife and that he was answered (by the arrival of Eliezer and Rivkah) even before he finished praying. Rabbi Chaim Vital adds that Yitzchok was so focused on his prayers that he didn’t even realize that the approaching camels belonged to his father as the verse says וַיִשָא עֵּינָיו וַיַרְא וְהִנֵּה גְמַלִים בָאִים – “he lifted his eyes and behold camels were coming (i.e., it doesn’t say that they were his father’s camels). - Praying Mincha
Specifically, the Talmud says (ibid.) that he was praying Mincha (the afternoon service) and that he was the first person to do so. According to Tosfot (Avodah Zarah 7b D.H. Ein), this wasn’t a solitary occurrence, rather Yitzchak would pray Mincha on a daily basis. The Kli Yakar adds that he prayed in a field where seeds grow because he was praying for a wife to increase his seed (children). He was answered immediately due to the special power of the Mincha prayer. - Going for a Walk
According to Ibn Ezra לָשׂוּחַ means to walk among the trees. (See Gen. 2:5 שִִׂׂ֣יחַ הַשָדֶֶ֗ה – “shrubs of the field.) I.e., Yitzchak went for a walk in the field. The Radak explains that the purpose of his walk was to see if Eliezer was arriving with his future wife.
The Bach combines the above interpretations and says that Yitzchak went to pray between the trees (see below).
- To Plant Trees or Talk to a Friend
According to Chizkuni, Yitzchak was going out to plant trees (לָשׂוּחַ could mean to make a שִׂיח ַ /tree) or to have a chat with a friend (לָשׂוּחַ means to talk). The Pane’ach Raza adds that he was planting trees to symbolize the children he was hoping to have with his future wife.
Why Did Yitzchok Pray in the Open?
Since the Talmud says that it’s impudent to pray in a valley, the commentaries question why Yitzchak prayed in a field (according the opinions cited above). They offer several explanations:
- Mount Moriah
According to the Talmud, the “field” in which Yitzchak was praying was Mount Moriah. As such, Tosfot (on Brachot ibid.) and the Tur explain that the rule of not praying in an open area doesn’t apply (since the holiness of such a place makes a person humble and broken-hearted – see above). - A Field Is Not a Valley
Alternatively, they suggest that a valley is an area with passers-by who can distract one from his prayers. This is not the case in a field which generally is not a busy area. - Prayed among the Trees
The Bach (O.C. 90) says that Yitzchak prayed between the trees and, as such, the area wasn’t considered open. Indeed, several halachic authorities say that one may pray among trees (if necessary). - Prayed towards Mount Moriah
Similarly, the Ha’amek Davar writes that Yitzchak prayed under a tree and as such he wasn’t in the open. Since he was praying towards Mount Moriah (and was imagining as if he was there), it’s considered as if he was standing on that mountain. - Didn’t Pray
The Ramat Shmuel suggests that Rav Kahana (who says that one may not pray in a valley) is of the opinion that the daily prayers were not instituted by the patriarchs and that Yitzchak was going for a walk (as explained above) rather than praying. - Not Insolent
The Magen Giborim explains that the reason it’s insolent to pray in an open space is that one is showing that he can concentrate despite the disturbances unlike most people who cannot do so. Since Yitzchak was the first one to pray Mincha (and for some time, the only one), it’s understood that he also had the ability to concentrate on that prayer more so than anyone else. As such, it wasn’t insolent for him to pray (Mincha) in public. - An Idol-Worshipping Style
The Midrash says that one shouldn’t pray in a valley because this is the way of the pagans. As such, it seems that the reason for the prohibition to pray in a valley is because this was a pagan practice. The Imrei Emmet therefore suggests that, in the time of Yitzchak, this wasn’t yet a pagan practice and, as such, it wasn’t forbidden.
Beach Minyanim
Based on all of the above, it would seem that, according to most opinions, one may not make a minyan to pray on the beach as it’s an open area with passers-by (who aren’t always properly dressed). According to the opinions that one may pray in an open area when praying with a minyan, however, these minyanim are permissible. Men must be careful, however, to not pray in the presence of women who aren’t dressed modestly.
Women
It would seem that all the halachot (laws) of how to pray (or not to pray) apply to women as well. Although some halachic opinions hold that women do not have to pray the Amidah, the main halacha is that they do, in which case they must follow the laws of prayer as prescribed by our sages. In addition, even women who follow the lenient opinion and do not pray the Amidah regularly must adhere to the laws of prayer when they do so. In fact, many of the laws of how to pray the Amidah are based on how Chana, mother of the prophet Samuel, prayed in Shiloh. As such, all of the above would apply to women as well.
May G-d Accept All of our Sincere Prayers!
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom UMevorach and a Chodesh Tov!
Copyright 2025 by Rabbi Aryeh Citron
