80. A Shul and a Beis Medrash

12:15 Residents of a city can compel one another to build a shul or a beis medrash and to purchase the necessary books for them. (A minority who want to do this can compel a majority who disagree – Mishnah Brurah 150:1.) In a place where there is no regular minyan, they may likewise impose fines in order to enforce attendance at the minyan so that it will not be disbanded. In such a scenario, even scholars should be compelled to cut short their studies in order to attend the minyan and ensure that it continues; they cannot object that their personal study time trumps the communal need for prayer. 13:1 So great is the sanctity of a shul or a beis medrash that we are warned by the Torah to be in awe of such places (Leviticus 19:30, “Fear My sanctuaries”). A shul and a beis medrash are considered sanctuaries as we see in Ezekiel 11:16, “I will be a small sanctuary for them.” The Talmud (Megillah 29a) explains that this refers to our synagogues and study halls, which serves as “miniature Temples” at times when the Beis HaMikdash is not standing. Because of our obligation to revere such sites, we may not engage in idle chatter or conduct our own business there; we may only discuss matters of religious import, such as the disbursement of funds collected for charity. We must care for such places’ upkeep and show them honor. We should not kiss our children in a shul or beis medrash as these are places designated to demonstrate our love for God, not for one another.