Rivevos Ephraim: Can you Hang Gedolim Pictures On The Walls Of A Shul?
Rav Ephraim Greenblatt (Rivevos Ephraim 4:3) says he was asked if it is permissible to hang photographs of Gedolim on the walls of a Shul.
TheMogen Avrohom (90:37) says that you may decorate the walls of the Shul with pictures as long as the pictures are higher than height of a person. The Machatzis HaShekel explains that since when a person davens his must look down, there is no danger of decorations distracting the davening at this height.
However says Rav Greenblatt there is another issue involved since when the images are of people it may look like the mispalelim are bowing down to these people. He compares this to the psak of the Radvaz and the Chida who both say that you may not daven in front of a mirror because people may think that you are bowing to yourself.
If for whatever reason there is a problem removing these pictures from the Shul, at the very least, he suggests they should be hung from the back wall, behind the mispalelim.
Important Note: We try to convey the Tshuva to the best of ourability. We admit that our understanding may not be accurate. One should read the tshuva to verify the accuracy of our interpretation. Pleasealso understand that this Tshuva may not be the final word on thistopic. One should consult a Rav before drawing any conclusions.
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