Guidelines to Tefillah Vol. 2:
Questions and Answers about the Laws of Tefillah
By Rabbi Elozor Barclay and Rabbi Yitzchok Jaeger

Chapter Twenty-eight

Walking by a Person Davening Shemoneh Esrei

28. May one pass in front of a person who is davening shemoneh esrei ?
In normal circumstances, this is forbidden for two reasons:
- It disturbs the concentration of the person davening shemoneh esrei.
- The Shechina is present in front of the person davening shemoneh esrei, and it is disrespectful to walk through this area.

29. To what distance does this apply?
Up to four amos in front of the person (see question ý2).

30. May one walk up to the front of the person and remain there?
No. It is forbidden even to enter this area.

31. May one pass behind a person davening shemoneh esrei ?
- According to most opinions, it is permitted.
- According to some opinions, it is forbidden.
It is preferable to follow the second opinion.

32. May one walk up to the side of the person?
This is the same as walking behind him (see question ý31).

33. What about the semi-circle in front of the person?
Opinions differ whether one may enter or pass through this semi-circle (radius four amos) without going directly in front of the person. It is correct to refrain, except in times of need.

34. What if the person is davening shemoneh esrei in the aisle of the shul?
Such a person is a public nuisance who shows complete disregard for the needs of other people wishing to pass by. According to some opinions, he may be lifted up and carried to another part of the shul - or outside. Nevertheless, if such a situation arose, it is praiseworthy not to walk in front of him, except in times of need.

35. May one walk in front of a child who is davening shemoneh esrei ?
Opinions differ about this, and it is preferable to refrain. If it is clear that the child is totally oblivious to the prayer, one may walk in front of him.

36. What if the person davening has a tallis over his eyes?
- It is still forbidden to pass directly in front of him. Although it is possible that his concentration will not be disturbed, it is still disrespectful to the presence of the Shechina.
- One may enter or pass through the semi-circle in front of him without going directly in front of him.

37. What if the person is davening shemoneh esrei while sitting?
It is still forbidden to pass in front of him.

38. May one take three steps back at the end of shemoneh esrei if the person behind is davening shemoneh esrei ?
This is only permitted if one will not go within four amos of the person behind. Since this is not usually the case, one must glance behind before taking three steps, in order to ascertain whether the person behind has finished shemoneh esrei.

39. What if the person behind began shemoneh esrei much later?
The one in front must nevertheless wait until the person behind has finished shemoneh esrei. The same is true if both began together, but the person behind is davening very slowly. In situations like this, the person behind should be considerate of the one in front, and should avoid causing distress by making him wait a long time. A person who davens slowly should make an effort to daven at the front of the shul, and not behind other people.

40. May one take three steps back diagonally?
Opinions differ about this (see question ý33). It is correct to refrain, except in times of need.

41. What if the other person is diagonally behind?
- It is correct to refrain from taking three steps backwards, except in times of need.
- One may take three steps back diagonally away from the other person, if one can avoid entering the four amos semi-circle in front of him. See also question ý36.

42. May one step back in order to sit for tachanun?
No. In this case one should recite tachanun standing.

43. What if the person behind has finished shemoneh esrei but is waiting for a third person behind him?
The one in front may take three steps back towards the second person, even if he goes within four amos of the third person. According to some opinions, this is only permitted if the second person is as tall as the third.

44. May one take three steps back at the start of shemoneh esrei if the person behind has already started shemoneh esrei ?
No, even if one takes the three steps back diagonally and returns to one's place. Since there is actually no obligation to take three steps back (see Volume One, question 578), one may not transgress in order to fulfill this custom. Instead, one should simply begin shemoneh esrei in one's place.

45. When does the prohibition not apply?
- One needs urgently to use the bathroom.
- One must perform a pressing mitzvah.
- There is an intervening object between the two people.

46. What if one's need to use the bathroom is not urgent?
One may not go out if this involves passing a person davening shemoneh esrei. This applies even if one cannot wait seventy-two minutes, as long as the need is not urgent. In the case where one must leave shul to use the bathroom, one may not return to his place, if this involves passing in front of a person davening shemoneh esrei (see question ý49).

47. For which mitzvos is the prohibition suspended?
When the mitzvah cannot be postponed and cannot be performed by someone else. Even in this situation, the following distinction applies:
- For a public need, one may even pass directly in front of a person davening shemoneh esrei.
- For an individual need, one may only pass through the semi-circle in front of the person, but not directly in front (see question ý33).

48. What are examples of a public need?
- Completing a minyan.
- Taking the sefer Torah from the aron kodesh to the bima.
- Reading the Torah.
- A cohen blessing the congregation (see question ý121).
- Taking a crying child out of shul.
- Delivering a Torah lecture.
For these mitzvos, one may pass directly in front of a person davening shemoneh esrei, if there is no way to avoid this.

49. What are examples of an individual need?
- Entering shul to join the congregation.
- Leaving shul to study Torah.
- The chazan needs to take three steps back at the end of his quiet shemoneh esrei (see Volume One, question 251).
- Moving to a position in front of the cohanim for their blessings (see question ý153).
For these mitzvos, one may not pass directly in front of a person davening shemoneh esrei, but one may pass through the semi-circle in front of him, if necessary.

50. What are examples of mitzvos that do not override the prohibition?
- A levi going to wash the hands of a cohen (see question ý122).
- Collecting charity in shul.
- Lifting a fallen sefer off the floor.
- Reciting tehillim at the Kosel.
For these mitzvos, one may not enter the four amos semi-circle in front of a person davening shemoneh esrei.

51. What are the rules of an intervening object?
One may pass in front of a person davening shemoneh esrei if between the two people there is an intervening object that satisfies these conditions:
- It is permanently in that place.
- It is at least as high as the person davening.
- It is at least four tefachim wide (32cm/13"). According to some opinions, it is sufficient for the object to be ten tefachim high (80cm/32").

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