Q) May I walk in front of, or sit beside a person who is reciting the Amida?
A) The Shulchan Aruch (OC 102, 4) rules that it is forbidden to pass within four Amot (approximately two meters) in front of a person who is reciting the Amida. The poskim disagree as to the definition of “in front”. The Magen Avraham interprets the Shulchan Aruch to prohibit walking in the area in front of a person reciting the Amidah up to, but not including, a ninety-degree angle. Conversely, the Aylei Rabba prohibits walking directly in front, however, walking at a slight angle is permitted. The poskim add that according to the Zohar one may not even pass at the side of such a person.
It should be noted that the Kaf Ha’chaim proscribes passing a person reciting the Amida even if there is a glass partition in front of him.
However we find certain circumstances where the poskim permit walking in front of a person who is praying:
• The Shevet Ha’levi permits doing so in order to make up a Minyan, providing that there is no-one else available.
• The Chazon Ish permits Cohanim who need to make their way to the front of the Bet Hakneset for Birkat HaCohanim to do so. However with regards to the Cohanim washing their hands beforehand; Harav Elyashiv permits this but the Or Letzion rules that in such a case they should rely on the Netila that they made in the morning where possible.
• If a person started praying in a public passageway, R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach permits physically moving him to a different location and to walk in from of him if needed.
This issue arises frequently when one finishes the Amida and wants to step back for Oseh shalom and the person behind him is still praying. In general it is prohibited to walk backwords in such a case, even if the person behind started after the one in front. However, the Mishna Berura notes that according to the Aylei Rabba if the person is not directly behind it is permitted. In exhorting circumstances R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach permits taking steps to the side even when the person is directly behind.
With regards to a Shliach Tzubur who must take three steps back before starting the Chazara; the Chazon Ish allows taking steps to the side of the person behind. In a situation where there are also people to the sides and this is not possible R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach rules to rely on the Psak of the Ohel Moed brought by the Bet Yosef that the Shliach Tzubur need not take three steps back before beginning the Chazara.
As far as sitting is concerned, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 102, 1) states that one may not sit in front, or at the side of a person who is saying the Amida unless he is davening. The Remo adds that sitting behind him is also prohibited. The Shulchan Aruch continues to bring an opinion who permits one to sit down if they are learning Torah. However the Kaf Hachaim rules that one may only rely on this in exhorting circumstances, for example, if one is feeling weak and there is no other place to sit.
The Shulchan Aruch (ibid, 3) adds that if one was already sitting and someone else started saying the Amidah next to him he is exempt from standing. The Bach argues and stipulates that this is only the case if the person was sitting in a place which is not specifically for Tefilla (i.e his house or a Bet Hamidrash) however if this took place in a Shul he must stand up. However if the person sitting is learning Torah the Bach agrees that he is exempt from standing.
Passing a person who is praying
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