Davening in a Foyer

Davening in the Hallway of a Shul

Davening in the hallway or foyer of a shul raises several issues:

The halachah is that one should walk into shul, “Shiur shnei psachim v’achar kach yispalel” (the equivalent of two doorways, and then daven). There are a number of interpretations to this halachah; one is that a shul should have two successive doors, with a foyer in between serving as an antechamber, so that one doesn’t walk directly into shul from the street. This indicates that the foyer is not intended for davening.

Moreover, having people davening in the foyer makes it difficult for others to enter and leave the shul and will inevitably lead to people passing k’neged hamispalel (entering the space of a person davening Shemoneh Esrei), which is forbidden because it disturbs their kavanah (concentration). Clearly one shouldn’t be davening Shemoneh Esrei in a place which would cause others to violate this halachah.

Of course, if it’s not possible to daven in the shul proper for whatever reason—such as a function taking place or overcrowding—one may daven in the foyer. However, if there’s an option of davening in an interior room instead, one should daven in that room. #470

https://halacha2go.com?number=470

Practical Halacha: One minute a day. By Horav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, shlita, Mara D'asra and member of the Badatz of Crown Heights.