Q&A: Right Before the Golem of Prague
Right Before the Golem of Prague
Question
Every so often, a bulky fellow comes to the synagogue and his build and facial appearance are exactly like how people draw the Golem of Prague himself.
And he has decided to pray specifically behind me.
And he takes a very long time with his prayer—really overdoes it. And my legs hurt…
There’s no one to talk to, nothing to explain, nothing to ask, since in his mind too he resembles a golem.
What should I do?
I thought the problem is only when I know that the person is praying behind me, but is there an obligation to look for that?
Should I finish my prayer before my Maker and take the “Oseh Shalom” steps back calmly.
After that I would also sit down. Why go looking for trouble behind me?
Answer
In my opinion, if someone is dragging out his prayer, you are not obligated to remain standing. If the Divine Presence decides to depart from there, that is his problem. He should either not drag it out or find a place where he does not disturb others.
As an aside, I do not see why his being bulky or resembling a golem is relevant to the question.
Discussion on Answer
Definitely yes. There is an obligation to check that you are not violating a prohibition (halakhic or otherwise). What I wrote is that in my opinion, if he is taking a long time, you may sit down. That is unrelated to the question of checking.
Rabbi Mazuz and Rabbi Ratzabi write that taking 3 steps is not considered “passing in front of someone who is praying” with regard to causing the Divine Presence to withdraw. See here https://www.maharitz.co.il/?CategoryID=345&ArticleID=1216&Page=3
And regarding distraction, in my humble opinion most people who still have not finished praying, when the person standing in front of them has already finished, would prefer that he step back rather than keep checking every moment whether they have finished, because that is much more distracting…
From what I remember, Rabbi Mazuz says that it is forbidden to enter into the four cubits of someone who is praying, but if one was already within those four cubits, it is permitted to come even closer (by means of the 3 steps). Especially since turning around repeatedly to check whether the person praying has finished would probably distract him even more.
Is there any obligation at all to look and check whether someone is behind me?
Or is it only when I know that someone is there that it is forbidden to step back?