I daven in an Orthodox shul, which was previously built and used as a church. Is this permissible? Even if it is not permissible lechatchila, is it permissible bidieved? Thank you
Answer:
On a bedieved level, this is certainly fine.
Even on a lechatchilah level, the Magen Avraham (145:17) and Mishnah Berurah (45) are lenient. Although Rav Moshe Feinstein (Orach Chaim 1:69) writes that this is not proper on a lechatchilah level, he agrees that bedieved it is fine.
Best wishes.
Does that mean according to Rav Moshe Feinstein that there is no instance at all lechatchila that a church can become a shul?
It appears that not - but he concedes that this is not the common custom in the States.
Also, is there a nafka mina between a church of different sects of Christianity?
There is room to suggest distinctions - without a doubt, the Catholic Church exhibits a closer resemblance to idolatry than the Protestant Church in all its myriad forms - but Rav Moshe does not do so.
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