Prayer Before the Synagogue
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Question
When the congregation prays in the synagogue, and there is no room in the main synagogue, but there is a place to pray on the path before the synagogue (on the side of the Ark). When I pray there, the congregation sees me, but I do not see them. Is this considered praying with a minyan?
Answer
It is forbidden to pray on the path before the synagogue. It is preferable to pray alone.
Source
Talmud, Berachot, page 6: "Rav Huna said: Anyone who prays behind the synagogue is called wicked, as it is said: 'The wicked walk around.' Abaye said: This is only said if he does not turn his face towards the synagogue, but if he turns his face towards the synagogue, there is no problem. There was a man who prayed behind the synagogue and did not turn his face towards the synagogue. Elijah passed by, saw him, and appeared to him as an Arab. He said to him: 'Is this how you stand before your Lord?' He drew a sword and killed him."
The early rabbis were divided on this issue. According to Rashi, behind the synagogue means on the side where the door is open, that is, if the congregation prays towards the east, and he stands on the west side facing west. It is forbidden because he prays in a direction opposite to the congregation, and his back is to the synagogue. According to Ri, the prohibition is when he stands on the west side and prays towards the east, it is forbidden because his back is to the Ark. In Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, siman 90, paragraph 7, it is ruled according to the second opinion. And it says: "Not behind the synagogue, if he does not turn his face towards the synagogue; and behind the synagogue is the side where the door is open and it is the opposite side to which the congregation faces when they pray. There is an opinion to the contrary, and it is proper to consider both opinions."
Thus, in this case, if he prays before the Ark, if he prays in the direction the congregation prays and his back is to the Ark, he is called wicked according to Ri, and if he prays in the direction of the congregation facing the Ark, he is called wicked according to Rashi because he prays in a direction opposite to the congregation.
Therefore, it is forbidden to pray there at all.