WHERE TO SIT IN SHUL

RESERVED SEATING on Shabbat

One of the positive challenges of a growing shul is finding a seat. Some communities have chosen to deal with this issue by designating reserved seats and creating rules that forbid visitors from sitting in the chosen seat. Other shuls, showing a bit more flexibility, reserve the designated seats until 9:30 AM. After that time, the seat is available on a first come, first served basis. Although these approaches attempt to maintain order and show respect to regular attendees, they clearly miss the point of Makom Kavuah and Derech Eretz. The Gemara Brachot 6b says, “Whoever sets a place for his prayers, the G-d of Abraham will help him, and when he dies they will say of him, ‘what a humble, righteous man, a student of Avraham Aveinu.’” This Gemara serves as the source for Makom Kavuah (see Yerushalmi Brachot p. 35 for an alternative source.) The Shulchan Aruch in Orach Chaim 90:19 codifies this teaching. The Mieri opines that a set place makes it easier to concentrate on one’s Tefillot. However, most Poskim accept the view of the Magen Avraham that Makom Kavuah does not require a specific seat but any area within 4 Amot of one’s regular place (see Mishna Berura Orach Chaim 90:59). Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 1:136) regards the size of an Amah (cubit) to be twenty one and a quarter inches in the context of almost all Halachot. There is clearly no basis to ask a person to leave a seat if another one is available within seven feet of your regular seat. Even if no alternative seat is available in that range, I see no foundation in Halacha for removing a person from “your” seat. It is important to recognize that Avraham Avinu, the Man of Kindness, plays a significant role in generating the concept of Makom Kavuah. The Shulchan Aruch, based on the Tur, points out that, if there is a legitimate reason, one need not sit in his/her designated seat or even within 4 Amot of that seat. It seems clear to me that kindness to another person is enough of a pretext to sit in a different seat.

Preferred Seating

Many factors may contribute to one’s choice of seating. Often one chooses to take a seat where his/her friends sit. While this is understandable, it does not necessarily generate the best Tefillah results. Tefillah is not a social experience. While there is great value in davening with a Tzibbur, prayer is ultimately a private meeting between the individual and Hashem. In our state of loneliness we reach out to our Creator in an attempt at spiritual dialogue. The chance of this happening is greatly challenged if we are sitting with our chevra. I believe that it takes courage to leave one’s comfort zone, to leave one’s Makom Kavuah, and find a seat in less “friendly” area. This will help transform our shul. The Gemara (Taanit 21) says, “It is not the place that brings honor to the person; rather it is the person who brings honor to the place." (Taanit 21).

From my seat to yours, I welcome feedback and discussion. May we, the children of Avraham, find our right Tefillot in the right place.

Best Wishes

Rabbi Shalom Baum