Prayer With a Minyan and Proper Respect for the Torah

Two halachot a day from the book Halacha Lemaaseh, by Rabbi Yaron Ashkenazi, based on the rulings of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.

Is it permissible to pray while wearing slippers? May someone be called to the Torah or serve as the prayer leader while wearing slippers?

Ideally, one should not pray while wearing slippers in a place where it would not be customary to appear that way before important people. However, if a person has no other shoes available and the time for prayer is about to pass, he may pray while wearing them.

He should not, however, serve as the prayer leader while wearing slippers, out of respect for the congregation. Similarly, he should not be called to the Torah while wearing them, out of respect for the Torah.

Is it permissible to travel to a vacation destination when one knows that there will be no minyan available for prayer?

One should not travel to a vacation destination where there will not be ten men available for a minyan, thereby giving up the opportunity to pray with a congregation. An exception may be made when the trip is necessary for health, livelihood, or another mitzvah.

Daily Verse

“Hear, my son, the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.”(Proverbs 1:8)

Rashi explains: “Hear, my son, the instruction of your father” refers to what the Holy One, blessed be He, gave to Moses, both the Written Torah and the Oral Torah.

“Your mother” refers to your nation, the Congregation of Israel, as in the verse, “What was your mother? A lioness” (Ezekiel 19:2). This refers to the teachings of the Sages, who instituted additional laws and established safeguards to protect the Torah.