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On Earth, we pray facing Jerusalem. On another planet, it makes sense to pray facing Earth. However, since planets move relative to each other, Earth might not be always in the same direction. In particular, the direction of the Earth might be "above" or "below".

How then can a synagogue be constructed on another planet? Should it perhaps face the nearest spaceport, since that's where one would go to reach Earth?

(I should say this question is not quite hypothetical. I am a sci-fi writer. I would very much like to get the halachic side of the story right. I am also aware of this answer regarding whether the Torah is OK with us leaving Earth at all. I think it is safe to say Hilonim would be leaving Earth regardless, and they would want a synagogue.)

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  • Even in an Earthly Synagogue, we don't pray towards Jerusalem, we pray towards the front/ark. The fact that those often (purposely) are the same direction is a happy coincidence. There are plenty of Synagogues on good ol' Mother Earth where the congregants don't face Jerusalem. – Salmononius2 Apr 24 '18 at 23:09
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    @Salmononius2 the Gemara (Berachos 30b) and Shulchan Aruch (OC 94:1) say that one who prays outside the land of Israel should face the land of Israel when he prays. – Dov F Apr 24 '18 at 23:27
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    What about a round, gravityless synagogue with a floor that automatically rotates in the right direction? – Dov F Apr 24 '18 at 23:39
  • The same question applies, and is far more practical, for someone who is on the space shuttle. You are orbiting the earth; the earth is orbiting the sun. On a simpler level, which way do you face when davening on an airplane or bus or any vehicle that changes direction? – DanF Apr 25 '18 at 03:02
  • @DanF See OC 94:4 – Kazi bácsi Apr 25 '18 at 08:41
  • @Salmononius2 that appears to be a matter of dispute: https://judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/37590/should-the-shaliah-tzibur-and-congregation-face-the-direction-the-aron-points-if – Isaac Moses Apr 25 '18 at 15:30
  • Related: https://judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/4028/how-precisely-oriented-towards-jerusalem-should-we-face-for-praying – Isaac Moses Apr 25 '18 at 15:31
  • @IsaacMoses, you know, I looked this up yesterday after writing that comment and discovered the same conclusion as those answers in the question you linked. It seems like most authorities seem to hold that you don't face the Aron when it's not facing Jerusalem, but in practice I have never seen this done. I've been to quite a few Shuls where the Aron doesn't face East, but have never seen a congregation that doesn't face towards the Aron. It seems like the practice is to face the Aron regardless of what direction it is. – Salmononius2 Apr 25 '18 at 16:48
  • Gosh, I don’t think I’ve ever seen this before on here: this is less than a day old, and there’s already 14 upvotes. – DonielF Apr 25 '18 at 16:53

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I suppose it's a fascinating question, but for me the answer seems to be a bit easier. It's quite the same, when someone doesn't know where is mizrach. In this case you should focus your concentration on Hashem without turning to a specific direction (Orach Chayim 94:3 based on Berakhot 30a):

ת"ר סומא ומי שאינו יכול לכוין את הרוחות יכוין לבו כנגד אביו שבשמים שנא' והתפללו אל ה'

The Sages taught in a Tosefta: A blind person and one who is unable to approximate the directions and, therefore, is unable to face Jerusalem in order to pray, may focus his heart towards his Father in Heaven, as it is stated: "And they shall pray to the Lord" (Kings I. 8:44)*

The Kitzur (Orach Chayim 18:10) repeats this ruling. You should pray as if you were standing in the Jerusalem Temple (Orach Chayim 95:2). But based on the comments, I'm quite sure that these Jews will eventually find a way to turn towards Jerusalem!

* Translation from Sefaria

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Why would the rules be any different than on the Earth? If you can locate Jerusalem (in this case, the Earth), face that direction. If not, it doesn't matter. The construction of the synagogue there should facilitate facing the Earth, regardless of the direction. It may include a technology that tracks the Earth and illuminates a light at the side of the room in that direction.

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  • The issue would be that it’s sometimes not possible to face towards the earth/ Jerusalem even if you know where it is. Because it might be below the ground (can you pray face-down on the floor?) or above your head. – Zarka Aug 31 '20 at 07:38
  • @Zarka that issues applies on earth too, like in hawaii – Double AA Aug 31 '20 at 17:48
  • @DoubleAA Not really. – Zarka Aug 31 '20 at 21:02