335. Building a New Shul

Tefillah u’Birkas Kohanim 11:12

We may not tear down a shul in order to build a new one in its place or elsewhere. Rather, one should first build the new shul and only then tear down the old one. This is in case problems arise preventing the new shul from being built. This rule applies even to one wall of a shul; the new wall should first be built next to the old wall, then the old wall torn down.

Tefillah u’Birkas Kohanim 11:13

The above rule only applies when a shul’s foundation is not ruined and its walls are not leaning dangerously. If this is not the case, then the shul should be torn down and rebuilt immediately. It should be worked on zealously so that the project is not abandoned.