Stepping over the heads of the holy people
Question
The Gemara in Sanhedrin 7b says that an important person is forbidden to walk while everyone is sitting on the ground.
(“From where do we know that a judge may not step over the heads of the holy people, etc.”)
Is there a prohibition for a rabbi or judge to walk in the synagogue during the kinot, when everyone is sitting on the ground?
(“From where do we know that a judge may not step over the heads of the holy people, etc.”)
Is there a prohibition for a rabbi or judge to walk in the synagogue during the kinot, when everyone is sitting on the ground?
Answer
Shalom u’vracha
There is no problem with this.
The Shulchan Aruch (Choshen Mishpat, siman 8, se’if 4) defines the prohibition as “conducting oneself with authority and arrogance over the community,” which is not applicable here.
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