Where should a mourner change their place in the synagogue
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Question
Regarding the change of place in the synagogue for a mourner, does it matter where the place is changed to?
Answer
Indeed, the mourner should change their place to a distance of four cubits from their original place and to a location further from the Ark.
Source
The rule of distancing four cubits is brought in Pitchei Teshuva, Siman 293, SK 2, stating: "And it is written in the book Chamudei Daniel that when a mourner changes their place, they must distance four cubits, as without this it is considered the same place." This is also written in Magen Avraham, Siman 90, SK 34, regarding establishing a place for prayer, that within four cubits is considered one place.
In Shut Maharam Shik, Yoreh Deah, Siman 369, this opinion is disputed, and he holds that there is no need to distance four cubits from one's place.
Regarding distancing from the Ark: it is written in Sefer Chassidim, Siman 959: "There was an incident where one said, 'I want to sit near the Ark so that my prayer will be more heard.' The sage said to him, 'For it is written (Proverbs 25:6): 'Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence, and do not stand in the place of great men, for it is better to be told, 'Come up here,' than to be humiliated before a noble.' And further (ibid. 25:8): 'Do not go hastily to court.' When you sit near the Ark, those sitting will argue with you, and it is better for you to sit far away to avoid conflict, and your prayer will be more heard when you do not cause disputes in the synagogue.' He did not heed his advice, and it was decreed that he ended up in mourning and never sat there. Therefore, it is better for a person to sit far away without conflict and not cause disputes.
Similarly, Rabbi Shlomo Kluger wrote in Shut Elef Lecha Shlomo, part Yoreh Deah, Siman 315: "Regarding the question of changing place in mourning, if one changes from a central bench to the eastern wall, is it considered a change? This is not considered a change, as a change for the better is not considered a change. The general rule is that anything not usually done without mourning and is done only because of mourning is considered a change, but what is usually done without mourning is not a change, and a change for the better can be done without mourning, it is not a change."
It is also written in Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, Siman 201, Sef 15: "It is customary for a mourner to change their place in the synagogue for thirty days, and after the death of a father or mother, for twelve months, and changing place means at least a distance of four cubits from their place, and to a place that is further from the Ark than their place."