Halacha for Wednesday 27 Tammuz 5781 July 7 2021

Praying While Facing the Wrong Direction

Question: If one started praying and realizes that one is inadvertently facing away from Jerusalem, what should one do?

Answer: In the previous Halacha, we have explained that when standing to recite the Amida prayer, one must pray in the general direction of the Land of Israel and when located within the Land of Israel, one should pray while facing the holy city of Jerusalem. When located in Jerusalem, one should pray in the general direction of the place where the Bet Hamikdash stood.

Let us now discuss a situation where, for instance, one is standing west of Jerusalem, such as in the city of Ashdod, in which case one must face eastward while praying and instead, one is facing a different direction, i.e. west, north, or south. If one becomes aware of one’s error while praying, should one move one’s feet in the middle of praying in order to turn to the correct direction? Similarly, what if the individual praying is not aware of his mistake but someone else present is, should he point this out to the individual currently praying?

There are several different opinions regarding this issue. We shall only mention the opinion that we follow halachically based on the ruling of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l (in his Halichot Olam, Volume 1, page 146).

One Praying Alone in the Wrong Direction
If one is praying alone and should be facing eastward but is facing north or south by mistake, one should not move one’s feet while praying; rather, one should remain standing in place and merely turn one’s face to the east. If someone else sees this individual praying while facing the wrong direction, one should bring this to the individual’s attention so that he can turn his face to the east.

Nevertheless, if the individual is facing the complete opposite direction, i.e. in our situation this would mean facing westward, he cannot turn his face all the way to the east. Thus, some say that he should move his feet and turn to the east and then continue praying. On the other hand, Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l rules that one should not bring this mistake to the attention of the individual at all and even if the individual realizes his mistake on his own, one may not move one’s feet in the middle of praying in order to turn to the east; rather, one should continue praying while relying on the opinion (quoted in Baba Batra 25b) that Hashem’s presence is everywhere and one need not face any specific direction while praying.

One Praying With the Congregation in the Synagogue
When we have written above that one praying while facing the wrong direction may not move his feet and turn to the correct direction, this only applies to one praying alone. However, if one is praying in the synagogue and the entire congregation is facing one direction and this individual is facing the opposite direction, one must move one’s feet and turn to the direction the rest of the congregation is facing and only then continue praying.

Summary: If one should be facing eastward and mistakenly began praying while facing north or south, one should turn one’s face to the east and then continue praying. If one mistakenly began praying while facing westward, one should continue praying without facing east. If this happens when one is praying with the congregation in the synagogue, one must move one’s feet and turn to the direction the rest of the congregation is facing and continue praying.

ספר אביר הרועים - בית מידות
ספר אביר הרועים
לפרטים לחץ כאן

הלכה יומית מפי הראש"ל הגאון רבי יצחק יוסף שליט"א

דין ברכת שפטרנו מעונשו של זה
לחץ כאן לצפייה בשיעורים נוספים

Recent Halachot

"תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן העולם הבא"

נדה ע"ג א'

8 Halachot Most Popular

Parashat Ki Tetze

Gathered from the teachings of Maran Rebbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztzvk”l (from the years 5744-5772) (written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) Ellul is the Time to Engage in Battle Against the Yetzer Hara, ......

Read Halacha

Eating and Washing Oneself on Yom Kippur

Regarding the custom of Kapparot, we have discussed in the past that this custom may be fulfilled through money. A bill is taken ($10, $20, etc.) and circled around the head of the atoned party three times, and the following text is recited: “This money is in your stead, your substitute, and y......

Read Halacha

Eating Cake on Shabbat Morning

Today's Halacha is dedicated for the merit and protection of All Our Dear Soldiers May Hashem give them strength and courage to vanquish our enemies and may they return home safe and sound amid health and joy. May Hashem protect all the captives and have mercy upon them so that no harm befalls......

Read Halacha

The Laws of Blood Found in Eggs

Blood in Eggs Blood found in eggs is forbidden for consumption, for this blood indicates the beginning of the embryotic development of the chick and this chick has the halachic status of “fowl” whose blood is forbidden for consumption by Torah law; thus, the opinion of the Rosh and Tosa......

Read Halacha


 The “Shehecheyanu” Blessing

Our Sages teach us (Eruvin 40b) that one should recite the “Shehecheyanu” blessing upon seeing a new fruit that renews once a year. Even if one sees this fruit in the hands of another person or on the tree, one should recite the “Shehecheyanu” blessing. Nevertheless, the P......

Read Halacha

Parashat Terumah

From HaGaon Rav Zevadia HaCohen Shlit”a, The Head of the Batei Din in Tel Aviv (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) The Difference Between Moshe and Betzalel [Understanding Why Betzalel Was Able to Make the Menorah, Whilst Moshe Couldn’t] This Sh......

Read Halacha

The Holiday of Sukkot

The Gemara (Sukkah 11b) explains that the Mitzvah of Sukkah is in commemoration of the clouds of glory that surrounded our ancestors when they left Egypt. The Gemara (Ta’anit 9a) states: “Three great leaders arose for the Jewish nation: Moshe, Aharon, and Miriam. Hashem gave the Jewis......

Read Halacha

So that We May Refrain from the Injustice of Our Hands

During the Ne’ilah prayer, the prayer that culminates all the Days of Awe recited towards the conclusion of Yom Kippur, we state: “And You, Hashem our G-d, have given us this Yom Kippur etc. for pardon, forgiveness, and atonement so that we may refrain from the injustice of our hands and......

Read Halacha