Stepping over the heads of the holy people | Sheilot

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?

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. 

Answered 23 July 2026 How answers are reviewed
Rabbi Israel Cohen
Answered by
Answers questions at Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah
Smicha "Yoreh-Yoreh" (2012), Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah
Orach Chaim, Yoreh Deah
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