Walking In Front Of Someone Praying

Halacha Moment
Jul 7
3 min read

The Daily Halacha Moment - Walking In Front Of Someone Praying🚶🏻‍♂️

״כל השונה הלכות בכל יום - מובטח לו שהוא בן

‎העולם הבא״ (נידה עג ע״א, מגילה כח:)

“Anyone who studies Halachot every day is guaranteed that he is destined for the world-to-come” (Megilla 28b, Niddah 73a)

Question:

Can one walk in front of someone praying Shemonah Esrei?

Answer:

It is forbidden to walk directly in front of someone who is praying within four amot [1]. However, it is permitted to walk behind them or to their sides [2]. Some explain that the reason for this prohibition is that walking in front of someone disrupts their kavanah (concentration) [3]. Others explain that since the Shechinah (Divine Presence) rests in the place where a person is praying, it is inappropriate to interrupt between the one praying and the Shechinah [4]. There are opinions that extend the prohibition to include not only walking directly in front but also walking in the front area off to the sides—that is, not directly in front, but still within their line of sight [5]. There is also a dispute about whether one may enter into the four amot of someone praying and remain standing there. In cases of great need, there is room to be lenient [6].

Sources:

[1]. The Gemara Berachot 27a writes that Rav didn’t move after praying Shemonah Esrei because Rabbi Yirmeyah was praying behind him. Then Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Levi concludes that it’s forbidden to walk in front of someone praying Shemonah Esrei. Nonetheless, the Gemara says that Rav Ami and Rav Asi did walk in front of those beyond four amot. This is brought as halacha by the Rif 18b, Rosh 4:4, Rambam Tefillah 5:6, Tur and Shulchan Aruch 102:4. Mishna Berurah 102:15 quotes two reasons for this. The first one is based on the maamar mordechai that you will distract the person who you walk in front of, and the second one is based on the chayei adam who says that you are creating a barrier between him and the schechina.

[2]. Rabbenu Yonah (Berachot 18b s.v. Asur) comments on the gemara which says not to pass in front of someone praying that one would be allowed to walk to the side of someone praying. This is also the implication of the Kesef Mishna in the Rambam 5:6. This is codified in Tur and S”A 102:4. Nonetheless, the Mishna Berurah 102:17 quotes the Zohar which is strict even walking on the side of someone praying within 4 amot. Beiur Halacha 102 quotes the Eliya Rabba and the Shla that the same would apply with walking in front of somebody saying keriat shema.

[3]. Magen Avraham 102:6

[4]. Sh”t Ginat Veradim 1:39.

[5]. The Magen Avraham 102:6 writes that any area where the one praying could see the one walking it’s forbidden to walk (as one ruins his Kavana). The Pri Megadim (Eshel Avraham 102:5) infers that the front to the side (not directly in front) is forbidden. The Mishna Berurah 102:16 writes that the Magen Avraham is strict regarding the front to the side while the Eliyahu Rabba is lenient. The Kaf HaChaim 102:28 only quotes the opinion of the Pri Megadim.

[6]. Mishna Berurah 102:18 writes that it’s a dispute between the Magen Avraham and Eliyah Rabba and in cases of great need one may be lenient.