Q&A: Prayer in the Army
Prayer in the Army
Question
Hello Rabbi Michael Abraham.
I try to pray all three daily prayers every day, including during army service, and it turns out that sometimes I pray wearing a sleep shirt and pants. Is that permitted or forbidden?
I vaguely remember the Jewish law about standing before the Holy One, blessed be He, that it should be done in respectable clothing, but what am I supposed to do in this reality, one that Jewish law did not recognize?
Thanks in advance.
Answer
It is proper to pray in respectable clothing, but it seems to me that the circumstances can affect what is considered respectable. There is definitely room to be lenient if getting dressed is very difficult.
Jewish law recognized situations of hardship far more severe than army service, so I do not think one should resort to statements of the kind that this is a situation Jewish law did not recognize.