Which Direction?

Question: I sometimes daven in a shul where the aron hakodesh is on the northern wall. Some people daven towards the aron while others face east. Which is correct?

Answer: The Gemara (Berachos 30a) teaches that one should face towards Yerushalayim when davening the amida. Rambam (Tefilla 5:1) lists facing Yerushalayim as one of eight criteria for proper davening, but he notes that if one fails to do so, they do not need to repeat davening.

Additionally, Rambam (Tefilla 11:2) writes that when building a shul, the aron hakodesh should be placed on the wall that facing Yerushalayim to ensure that people face the aron while davening. The Mishna Berura (94:9) states that if the aron cannot be placed on the eastern wall, it should be placed on the northern or southern wall, and people should still face Yerushalayim. However, the aron should not be placed on the western wall, as this would cause people to turn their backs to it while davening (see Biur Halacha 150:5; Shevet Halevi 10:20).

The Magen Avraham (94:3) advises that if the aron is on the ‘wrong’ wall, one should still face towards Yerushalayim. The Baer Heitev (OC 94:3) quotes the Yad Eliyahu (1), who asserts that this should be done even if the rest of the congregation mistakenly faces the aron.

Nevertheless, according to the Mishna Berura (94:10), if one attends a shul where the kehilla faces an aron that is not situated on the eastern wall, one should align with the congregation’s direction but turn their head towards Yerushalayim. The Aruch Hashulchan (OC 94:13) agrees, yet further suggests that if one is davening alone in the shul, they should face Yerushalayim irrespective of which direction the kehilla usually faces.

In conclusion, everyone should face Yerushalayim when davening. However, if the entire kehilla is facing the aron hakodesh, even if it is on the wrong wall, one should face the same direction as the kehilla while turning their head towards Yerushalayim.