[Avodah] davening in public

[Danny Schoemann]

>>He also emphasized that it was against halacha to stand outside and
>>daven out in the open under the 'Kippas HaShamayim'. Lastly, he told
>>him that although many try and solve this problem by going into an
>>empty telephone booth to daven, this is pure gezeilah from the phone
>>companies. After all, while one is in there davening mincha, he's
>>preventing others from entering and paying to make their phone calls."
>>

>I am not sure about davening in the open under the heavens.
>Of course at the Kotel it is usually done (except for those inside the tunnels)
>Also in EY it is common to see cars pulled over late in the day and
>people davening mincha
>outside their cars where such activities are not unusual
>
>Furthermore during the summer I frequently see groups on a tiyul (both
>RZ and charedi) davening mincha outside

See Mishna Berura Vol. 1 - page 242. Here's a quick overview:

SA OC 90:5: "One should not daven in an open place like a field,
because when you're in a private place you have fear of the King and
your heart is broken". (Source Brachot 34)

MB (10 - Should not daven): The Gemara says that one who transgresses
this is called "brazen".

MB (11 - open place): According to one answer in Tos, davening at the
edge of the road where people will not interrupt you is OK. However
the Bes Yosef disagrees. Even though the latter commentators side with
Tos., the Zohar implies one should davka daven in a house.
According to everybody, travelers may daven in the field, though of
there are trees, it's preferable to daven between them there, if he
can afford the delay. However, at home you may not rely on this.

MB (12 - like a field): And a fenced in area - even w/o a roof - is OK.

- Danny, not a Rabbi