...Continued from previous week
1) It is forbidden to daven in a place that is specifically designated for activities that are deemed pritzus and holelus (immoral and lightheaded; e.g., a hall designated for mixed dancing or forbidden parties). (See Igros Moshe Orach Chaim vol. 4 Siman 31)
2) It is prohibited to daven there even if no forbidden activities are taking place at the time and even if not davening there will cause you to daven without a minyan. Rav Moshe Zatzal (ibid.) writes that the Shechinah is not present in such a venue, as it is deemed a "hated venue" and any Tefilos davened there will not go up to shomayim. (See also Igros Moshe vol. 2 Siman 30, that if he will miss zman Tefilah by not davening there he should daven there despite the fact that his Tefilos won't reach heaven, as his obligation to pray before the deadline cannot be exempted.)
3) If a venue which was designated for forbidden activities is purchased and designated anew as a place where only holy, acceptable things will take place, its status as an unacceptable place is negated and it is permitted to daven there, L’chatchilah. (Igros Moshe Orach Chaim vol. 1 Siman 31)
4) However, if the venue is only rented for a fixed time period, and will revert back to its originally intended use for forbidden activities, it does not suffice and it is prohibited to daven there. (ibid.)
5) If forbidden activities (such as mixed dancing and the like) take place in a shul that was originally designated and used for holy activities, it does not render the shul as a "hated place" where it is forbidden to daven, despite these offensive activities having taken place within its walls. (See Be’er Heitev Siman 151:1 and Biur Halacha there. See also Shu”t Igros Moshe ibid. And Shu”t Tzitz Eliezer vol. 12 Siman 15)
(There is a lot more to write about these important topics of tznius, mechitza, kalus rosh between men and women and many more sources that discuss the various aspects and implications of these important Halachos, but they are beyond the scope of this email. As always, and especially with matters pertaining to arayos, it is vital for each individual to Seek, and follow, the guidance of their Rav.)
6) It is forbidden to daven in a "synagogue” which follows the ways of non-Torah Judaism, where their traditions involve heretical beliefs which do not believe in many tenets of our holy Torah. It is also forbidden to rent a room within that "synagogue" in which to establish a separate Orthodox minyan. (See Shu”T Igros Moshe vol. 3 Siman 25 and 30 and vol. 4 Siman 91:6. Although in most cases these Jews, our uneducated, not yet Torah-observant brothers and sisters, are tinokos shenishbu, and through no fault of their own find themselves belonging to a tradition that is not in accordance with Hashem's Torah, it is still forbidden to daven there, even if being done for purposes of kiruv, as their "synagogue" is not the proper place for such kiruv. See Igros Moshe ibid. At length)
7) The Posuk (Amos 4:12) states "Hekon Likra'as Elokecha Yisroel, prepare yourself [when you go to] greet Hashem".
Chazal (Talmud Shabbos 10b) derive from this Posuk that when one davens [to Hashem] he/she must act as if he/she is standing in front of a king and talking to him with trepidation and awe.
Indeed, when davening we are standing in front of the King of Kings, Melech Malchei Hamelachim Hakadosh Baruch Hu. (See also Rashi to Brachos 25a dibur hamaschil aval l'Tefilah)
8) Therefore, it is extremely important when davening (as well as when making any brachos, though possibly to a lesser degree) to be dressed appropriately and respectfully. We shall discuss more details of this as we progress B'ezras Hashem.
9) While davening one should be clothed in garments that cover his/her entire body properly, for the entire duration of the Tefilah. (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 91:1 and Mishna Berura S”K 2)
10) One should preferably not daven while wearing short pants or other articles of clothing with which he would never stand before a king or other dignitary, (See Halichos Shlomo, Tefilah, perek15. See also Shu”t Igros Moshe Yoreh Deah vol. 3 Siman 68:4)
One should not daven with his jacket or coat loosely hanging over his shoulders, without properly inserting his hands into the sleeves, as he would not speak to important dignitaries while clothed that way. (See Halichos Shlomo ibid., dvar Halacha 23)
A man who normally dons a hat and jacket during davening should not daven without them, unless he will not find a later minyan with which to daven with them on, as Tefilah b'tzibur is extremely important. (Halichos Shlomo ibid.)
...To be continued next week B’Ezras Hashem
