Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim · Siman 150

Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim 150 — English translation

Translation: Sefaria Community Translation. Section numbers match the Hebrew text above.

1. 1The Building of a Synagogue and that it Should be Tall. Containing 5 S'ifim: The residents of a city may compel one another in order to build a synagogue and to buy a Torah, Prophets, and Writings. (And see above, siman 55, s'if 22 [regarding] if they may compel one another to hire a quorum for themselves.)
2. 2When we build a synagogue, it should only be at the height of the [rest of the] city, and we heighten it until it is taller than the buildings of all [other] buildings that are in use up to [but not including] the ends of the spires (i.e., structures used for ornamental purposes; Targum [Yonatan] for delightful imagery (Isaiah 2:16): decorative spires) and towers that are not used. A slanted roof that is not usable: we measure it from the part that is fit to usable, that is, if there is an attic under the roof, it should not be higher than the synagogue. Gloss: In an extenuating circumstance, or if there is fear of the [secular] regime that doesn't give permission to build a synagogue according to its [i.e. Jewish] law, then it is permitted to pray in a house, even though someone lives in the attic above it, as long as those living in the attic above it keep it clean, as will be explained at the end of siman 151 (Beit Yosef - siman 154 in the name of Mahari b. Chaviv).
3. 3If one built up one's house higher than the synagogue, there are those who say that that we compel [that person] to lower it. (And if one made the structure in [just] one corner of the synagogue taller [than other buildings], that is sufficient) (Hagahot Maimon - chapter 11 of the Laws of Prayer; for there was such a case).
4. 4One who builds facing a window of a synagogue, it is not sufficient for it to be at a distance of 4 cubits, because it (i.e. the synagogue) needs abundant light.
5. 5We do not open up a synagogue entrance unless it is opposite the direction in which they pray in that city. [For example], if they pray Westward, the entrance should be in the East, in order that they should bow from the entryway towards the ark that is in the direction they pray towards. Gloss: And we place the bimah [platform with reading table] in the middle of the synagogue so that when the Torah reader stands on it, everyone can hear [the Torah reading], and when the prayer leader prays, the prayer leader faces the "kodesh" [ark/site of holiness]. And this is the order of seating: the elders sit facing the people, and all the remaining people sit in rows facing the "kodesh" and facing the elders (Tur).

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