Dear Rabbi Simon,
I have question. After two weeks working in a temporary job and finding random empty offices in which to daven Mincha, I discovered a ‘multi faith room’ and went in there to daven today.
But it reeked of some kind of incense. There was a Muslim prayer mat and some kind of necklaces on the side. I don’t know if the necklaces were Muslim or not, but presumably the pendant was where the smell of incense was coming from. I thought it was a good place to daven because I can lock it and there are no windows to attract curious onlookers.
Is it permitted to daven there?
Many thanks,
Mindy
Hi Mindy
Thank you for your question.
Yes, you may daven there, as the space is designated for “all faiths”, without Christian or other symbols and icons (eg, crucifix). In practice, the primary users are likely to be Moslems rather than pagans (or similar).
Nevertheless, I know of some of our fellow Jews who do not feel at ease in such prayer spaces, for a variety of reasons, and prefer an undesignated space instead (even if privacy cannot be guaranteed). Go with whichever works best for you.
Best wishes and may all your prayers be answered!
Rabbi Rashi Simon