Rujukan Talmud untuk 1 Raja-raja 8:44: Jerusalem Talmud Berakhot & Berakhot

It has been stated²³¹Shortened versions are in Tosephta Berakhot 3:13–16 and Babli Berakhot 30a; the entire text to the end of the Halakhah is in Shir rabba 4:11 with minor deviations. The tradition of the verses is somewhat garbled in order to make the point of the derivation clearer.: One who is blind and one who cannot determine directions should have in mind to pray to Heaven as it is said (1Kings 8:44) “They shall pray to the Eternal”. Those who are praying outside the Land turn their faces towards the Land of Israel. What is the reason? (1Kings 8:48) “They will pray to You through their Land that You gave to their forefathers.” Those who are praying in the Land of Israel turn their faces towards Jerusalem. What is the reason? (2Chr. 6:34) “They shall pray to You by way of this city that You chose.” Those who are praying in Jerusalem turn their faces towards the Temple Mount, as it is said (1Kings 8:48): “And the Temple that I built for Your Name.” Those who are praying on the Temple Mount turn their faces towards the Holiest of Holies. What is the reason? (1Kings 8:30) “They will pray to this place and You will hear at Your dwelling place in Heaven, You will hear and forgive.” Those who stand North will be facing South, those who stand South will be facing North, those who stand East will be facing West, those who stand West will be facing East. It turns out that all of Israel pray towards one place. That is what is written (Is. 56:7) “For My house will be called a house of prayer for all people.”

Our Rabbis have taught : A blind man or one who is unable to locate the directions should direct his heart to his Father in Heaven ; as it is said, "And they pray unto the Lord" (I Kings viii. 44).

If he is standing outside the [Holy] Land, he must direct his heart towards the land of Israel ; as it is said, "And pray unto Thee toward their land" (ibid. v. 48). If he is standing in the land of Israel, he must direct his heart towards Jerusalem ; as it is said, "And they pray unto the Lord toward the city which Thou hast chosen" (ibid. v. 44). If he is standing in Jerusalem, he must direct his heart towards the Temple ; as it is said, "And pray toward this house" (II Chron. vi. 32). If he is standing in the Temple, he must direct his heart towards the Holy of Holies; as it is said, "And they pray toward this place" (I Kings viii. 35). If he is standing in the Holy of Holies, he must direct his heart towards the mercy-seat. If he is standing behind the mercy-seat, he must imagine himself to be in front of it. Consequently if he is standing in the East, he must turn West ; if in the West, he must turn East ; if in the South, he must turn North ; if in the North, he must turn South. As a result, all Israel will be directing their heart to one spot.