Halakhah do Królów I 8:44

[During Shemoneh Esrei, ] we must stand facing the Land of Israel, as it is said: "And they pray to You toward their land."³⁰I Kings 8:48. We should also face Jerusalem, [the place of] the Holy Temple and the Holy of Holies. Therefore, we, in our country,³¹The author lived in Hungary. The same rule is applicable in America as well. who dwell West of the Land of Israel, must stand facing Eastward. (Not exactly Eastward but toward Southeast.) Those living North of the Land of Israel should face Southward, and those living East, face Westward, and those living South, face Northward. Thus, all Jews turn their faces toward one place when they pray, namely toward Jerusalem and the Holy of Holies, for there is the Gateway to Heaven, through which all prayers ascend. Therefore, the Holy Temple is called talpiyos, as it is written: "Your neck is like the tower of David, built magnificently."³²Song of Songs 4:4. It is the hill to which all mouths turn.³³Tel means a hill, and piyos means mouths. Thus talpiyos means a hill to which all mouths turn. Should you be praying in a place in which you are unable to face the Land of Israel, you should direct your heart [thoughts] to your Father in Heaven, as it is said: "And they pray unto God."³⁴I Kings 8:44. If you were facing North or South and remembered during the Shemoneh Esrei that you were not standing correctly, you should not shift your feet, but turn your face Eastward. If you are unable to do so, or if you are facing Westward, you may conclude your prayers in this position and direct your heart [thoughts] towards the Holy of Holies, but do not shift your feet. Also, if you pray in a place where there are pictures on the Eastern wall, you may pray facing any side, even though it is not East.