Sanctuary etiquette TB Megillah 28

The function of the American synagogue evolved in the 20^th century. It has become more than just a place where people gathered to daven (pray). Mordechai Kaplan envisioned the modern synagogue as a Jewish community center where Jews would gather for all sorts of reasons. Not only would the synagogue have a sanctuary, but also have various rooms dedicated to different purposes. There is a library containing sefarim (classical holy texts like the Bible, Midrash, and Talmud), fiction and nonfiction books, periodicals, CDs, and DVDs. People would use the social hall for parties and other social gatherings. Inside the kitchens food would be prepared for community gatherings. Both children and adults would study in classrooms dedicated to further Jewish education. Cultural events would take place somewhere in the building. For example, Marathon Jewish Community Center sponsored a community theater and put on musicals like Grease, Annie Get Your Gun, and Damn Yankees on our stage. Young people congregate and socialize in the youth lounge. Some synagogues even had a swimming pool and were known as the shul with a pool.

When today’s daf TB Megillah 28 speaks about appropriate behavior in a synagogue because of its inherent holiness (קְדוֹשָׁה), I believe the sages were exclusively talking about what we would call the sanctuary. One needs to carry himself in a dignified manner where God and the Jewish people communicate to each other. When we pray, we pour out our prayers, hopes, and fears knowing that God listens and is supporting us. When we listen to the Torah being read, God speaks to us and tells us how to live our best lives.

“The Sages taught in a baraita: With regard to synagogues: One may not act inside them with frivolity. Therefore, one may not eat in them; nor may one drink in them; and one may not adorn oneself inside them; nor may one wander about inside them; nor may one enter them in the sun for protection from the sun, or in the rain to find shelter from the rain; nor may one offer a eulogy inside them for an individual, which is a private event. However, one may read the Bible inside them, and one may study halakhot inside them, and one may offer a eulogy inside them for a Torah scholar, if the public attends the eulogy.” (Sefaria.org translation)

“The Gemara explains: What is meant by this (frivolity- קַלּוּת רֹאשׁ)? One should not make business calculations in a synagogue.” (Sefaria.org translation) In other words mundane activities don’t belong in the sanctuary. All our thoughts should be focused on a higher spiritual level.

Rav Aḥa, son of Rava asks a very practical question. “Rav Aḥa, son of Rava, said to Rav Ashi: If a person needs to summon an individual from inside a synagogue, what should he do, since it is not permitted to enter a synagogue just for that purpose? Rav Ashi said to him: If he is a young Torah scholar, let him recite a halakha upon entering the synagogue; and if he is a tanna who memorizes large numbers of mishnayot, let him recite various mishnayot; and if he is an expert in the Bible, let him recite a verse; and if he is not able to do even this, let him say to a child: Recite for me a verse that you have learned today. Alternatively, he should remain in the synagogue for a short time and only afterward stand up and leave.” (Sefaria.org translation) One should be ever mindful of the sanctity of the sanctuary and not do anything that would detract from its special atmosphere. Similarly “And nor may one make it into a shortcut.” (Sefaria.org translation)

I try my best not to use the sanctuary as a shortcut; however, there are times when a shortcut through the sanctuary is inevitable. When I have to, I recite this verse: “מַה־טֹּ֥בוּ אֹֽהָלֶ֖יךָ יַֽעֲקֹ֑ב מִשְׁכְּנֹתֶ֖יךָ יִשְׂרָאֵֽל-How good are your tents, Jacob: your dwelling places, Israel. (Numbers 24:5) ” Certainly a person could recite the Shema as well. Or not be in such a hurry and sit in the pews for short period of time reciting your own personal prayers or meditating before you look for the person or use the sanctuary as a shortcut.