Siman 13: Laws pertaining to the Sanctity of the Synagogue and the Study Hall

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§1 Proper Comportment in the Synagogue

The sanctity of the synagogue and a study hall is very great, and we are cautioned regarding them to conduct ourselves in the with the reverence due to the One who dwells inside them, Hashem, may His Name be blessed. This is learned from that which is written with regard to the Holy Temple (Vayikra 19:30): "And My sanctuary shall you revere." A synagogue and a study hall are also referred to as a Mikdash (Sanctuary), as it is written (Yechezkel 11:16): "Yet I have been for them a small Mikdash"; and we expound (Megillah 29a) regarding the term "small Mikdash": These are the synagogues and study halls.

Therefore, it is forbidden to engage is idle conversation in them, and one may not make calculations inside them, except those relating to a mitzvah such as accounting of the charity fund, and the like. The buildings are also to be maintained in a dignified manner, to be swept and to ensure that their earthen floors are to be flattened down by sprinkling them with water; and we must light candles in them as a mark of honor.

One should not kiss his young children in these sanctuaries because it is not proper to who there any other love except the love of Hashem, may His Name be blessed.

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§2 Proper Comportment in the Synagogue

Prior to entering a synagogue or study hall one must wipe off the mud from his feet, and make sure that he does not have on his person or on his garments any dirt.

If one feels the need to, it is permitted to spit on the floor in these sanctuaries; however, he must immediately rub the spittle into the ground with his feet.

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§3 Entering

One may not enter these sanctuaries neither to escape from the heat when it is hot, nor to escape from the rain when it is raining. That is, one may not enter a synagogue or study hall for the sole purpose of taking shelter from the elements. If one must enter to call out his fellow, he should enter and first read some verses of the Torah or learn a Mishnah or recite a prayer or, if he cannot learn any of these himself, he should listen to some words of learning from another, or, if nothing else is possible, he should at least remain there for a short time, since even spending time in these sanctuaries is also a mitzvah. And only after he has done one of these things, should he call out his fellow.

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§4 Eating, Drinking, and Sleeping

It is prohibited to eat or to drink or to sleep, even to doze, in these sanctuaries. However, when it is necessary for the performance of a mitzvah, such as on Yom Kippur night, it is permitted to sleep; but he should distance himself from the Holy Ark when sleeping. Likewise, to eat there when it is necessary for the performance of a mitzvah, a meal that does not involve any drunkenness or levity, is permitted.

Likewise, those people who learn there constantly are permitted to eat and sleep there, even a regular sleep, so that they should not have to interrupt their Torah learning.

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§5 Construction

When a community builds a synagogue, they require instruction from a Torah scholar regarding how and in what manner to build it.