...Continued from previous week
1) When davening in shul with a minyan, it usually isn't possible for each member of the minyan to daven against the wall and of course the davening should not be stopped because of this. The best thing to do when a wall isn't available, is to close your eyes for the duration of shemona esrei, or to keep your eyes focused directly in your siddur, in order to not have your concentration disturbed by outside occurrences. (See Mishna Berura Siman 90 S”K 63 and Kaf Hachaim Siman 90:133)
2) If another [Jewish] person is standing between you and the wall, it isn't considered a separation. (Aino-Yehudim, according to some Poskim, as well as animals, according to the Rama, are indeed considered a separation). (See Shulchan Aruch and Rama Siman 90:21 and Mekor Chaim on the Shulchan Aruch)
However, it is best to try and not daven directly behind someone (as it will seem as if you are bowing to that person.) (Shulchan Aruch Siman 90:22)
In a shul where it is virtually impossible not to daven behind someone, it is perfectly acceptable (even L’chatchilah) to daven behind someone. (See Mishna Berura Siman 90 S”K 69)
3) One should not daven (any part of davening) while sitting or standing in front of paintings, tapestries, or other wall decorations, as they will cause him/her to not concentrate on davening. (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 90:23 and Machatzis Hashekel S”K 37)
4) If one finds himself in such a situation (common while davening in a shiva house or in a sukkah) he should close his eyes while davening. (Shulchan Aruch ibid.)
If the decorations are higher than the height of a person, it isn't an issue to daven directly below them, as in that case they won't be a distraction. (See Mishna Berura Siman 90 S”K 71)
5) One should not daven from a siddur that has illustrations on the pages, as it will be a distraction from his davening. (Rama Siman 90:23. See Eliyah Rabbah Siman 691:5 that for this reason, it is also best to avoid using an illustrated Megilas Esther when listening to the Megilah, as it will be a distraction from following along and hearing all the words properly.)
6) It is never acceptable to daven in front of a mirror, even with closed eyes, according to many Poskim, as it will seem that you are bowing to your own reflection. (See Mishna Berura Siman 90 S”K 71. See Shu”t Ohr L'tzion vol. 2, tefilah, Siman 11 where he rules leniently in cases where the eyes are closed.)
Similarly, one should refrain from davening in front of a window at night, when they can see their own reflection. (See Shu”t Shevet Haleivi vol. 9 Siman 21 where he is stringent only for an actual mirror.)
7) It is prohibited to daven in a shul that does not have a [kosher] Mechitza (separation) between the men and the women. Even if the women are dressed modestly, it is still prohibited to daven without a Mechitza.
The Poskim rule that it is better to daven without a minyan than to daven in a shul that lacks a proper Mechitza. Many even prohibit davening in a side room of such a shul, due to Maris Ayin. (See Shu”t Menachem Meishiv Orach Chaim Siman 9)
8) Many Poskim (including HaRav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal, in Igros Moshe Orach Chaim vol. 1 Siman 39) maintain (based on the Talmud sukkah 51b and other sources) that a Mechitza in a shul is a biblical obligation, regardless of how modest (or G-D forbid immodest) the women are dressed, as not having the separation will lead to a lightheadedness between the genders, and may lead to touching and/or excessive talking. (See Igros Moshe Orach Chaim vol. 1 Simanim 39, 41, 42 and 43 at length fo discussions and sources on this topic.)
9) the Mechitza in a shul must be a minimum of 3 Amos high (60 inches, according to the Igros Moshe Orach chain vol. 4 Siman 30) but ideally should be significantly higher to ensure no women can be seen from within the men's section.
Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal adds that those who make it higher, to the point that no part of the women's heads can be seen, will receive additional heavenly blessings, especially in shuls where there are women who do not have their heads properly covered in accordance with Halacha. (See Shu”t Igros Moshe Orach Chaim vol. 4 Siman 30-32 and Shu”t Tzitz Eliezer vol. 7 Siman 8)
10) Rav Moshe Zatzal maintains that these Halachos are not only pertinent during davening, but also at any gathering in the actual shul (funeral, simchas bais hashoeva, sheva brachos etc.) where men and women are present, a Mechitza must separate them.
...To be continued next week B’Ezras Hashem
