May I Daven in a Multi-Faith Prayer Room?

May I Daven in a Multi-Faith Prayer Room?

Hospitals, airports and prisons usually designate a certain area as a “Prayer Room” for people of all faiths. In hospitals and airports, where the place is used only temporarily by individuals passing through, it would be permitted, provided that the halachos governing any tefillah (prayer) are adhered to (such as that any women who are in view are dressed in a tznius—modest—manner) and that there are no overt icons of other religions (like a cross) present—or they are covered while Jews pray.

Prisoners who need to use a prayer room on a regular basis have a greater halachic issue with utilizing such a space. Nevertheless, it is permitted if it is the only available and appropriate place that would allow them to concentrate on davening. Halachah states that b’shaas hadechak (in pressing circumstances), even a place of gilulim (idols) may be used for prayer.

Me’aras Hamachpelah (the Tomb of the Patriarchs) is used as a shul despite the fact that it is also a permanent place of worship for another religion. However, Me’aras Hamachpelah differs from multi-faith prayer rooms due to a number of distinctive factors: It was a Jewish place of tefillah long before it was sequestered by Moslems; in addition, it is less problematic to utilize a mosque than a church, on account of important differences in doctrine inherent in those faiths.

https://halacha2go.com?number=744

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