Eating in the Synagogue
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Question
Is it permissible to eat in the synagogue?
Answer
It is forbidden to eat in the synagogue, but there are several cases where it is permitted to eat and drink in the synagogue.
1. Torah scholars or anyone who studies regularly in the synagogue, if they need to leave to eat and it will interrupt their learning, are permitted to eat in the synagogue.
2. In a Beit Midrash, where prayers are not held, Ashkenazim are permitted to eat even if not eating will not interrupt their learning.
3. It is also permitted to eat in the synagogue for the synagogue's needs, such as when holding a dinner or a fundraising meeting for the synagogue.
4. A mitzvah meal that does not involve frivolity and drunkenness. If someone is lenient to hold a siyum meal in the synagogue when there is no other place, they are not stopped.
5. If it was stipulated in advance when the synagogue was built that it would not have the sanctity of a synagogue, it is permitted to eat inside it. (However, this condition results in the loss of the advantage of praying in a synagogue)
Source
Mishnah Megillah, page 28. "Synagogues are not to be treated frivolously: one does not eat in them, nor drink in them, etc."
In the Gemara: "Rava said: Sages and their students are permitted. As Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: What is 'Beit Rabanan' - the house of the rabbis."
The early commentators disagreed whether the permission for scholars in synagogues and study halls is only in cases of necessity or even without necessity. The Shulchan Aruch in Siman 151, paragraph 1, ruled according to the Rambam that scholars are permitted to eat in synagogues only in cases of necessity. The Mishnah Berurah, S"K 7, writes that anywhere the need to leave to eat will interrupt their learning is considered necessity. The Rema ruled according to the Ran that in study halls it is permitted even without necessity (see Biur Halacha, D"H "Vesh"K", where the Rema ruled this only for eating and drinking, not for other uses).
The Shulchan Aruch in paragraph 4 writes: "For the needs of the synagogue, it is permitted to eat and sleep in it," and the Mishnah Berurah, S"K 19, permits in a mitzvah meal where there is no drunkenness. And in the completion of the Shas, when there is no other place, even if there is drunkenness.
What we wrote about being lenient when stipulated in advance, so wrote the commentators, and not because of the condition mentioned in paragraph 11, as this does not help in settled areas, but because it was not sanctified as a synagogue but for community needs, and thus the advantage of praying in a synagogue is lost.