Prior to the holocaust, did Shuls in Europe display their countries' respective flags? Do Shuls currently display their countries' flags? When did it start and why?
asked Aug 4, 2011 at 18:13
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1See also: judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/9276/…– Isaac Moses ♦Commented Aug 4, 2011 at 19:10
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2 Answers
In Prague they used to have Shlomo Molcho's flag.
Most Eastern European countries were more feudal than central, and Jews had more to do with the local poritz than with the central government.
Civilian flags were introduced in the 19th to 20th centuries, so it couldn't have been much before that.
answered Aug 4, 2011 at 20:02
Rabbi Gedalia Anemer, zt'l, the long-time rav of Young Israel Shomrai Emunah in Silver Spring, Maryland, and founder and Rosh HaYeshiva of the Yeshiva of Greater Washington, refused to allow flags anywhere in his shul's sanctuary. He did not want to leave the impression that people were bowing down to a secular icon when they davened. He studied at the Telshe Yeshiva. I don't know if his opinion is common among its graduates or not.
answered Jan 24, 2013 at 18:35
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1I think this question is asking about European shuls (though the last part isn't completely clear so I see the confusion). You might want to move this answer to this related question about American shuls. Commented Jan 24, 2013 at 18:45