[Avodah] direction of avodah

[Eli Turkel]

<<At least the ARI's directions (as I've seen them) start with an
instruction to face east.  So no matter which way you are davening,
you first turn to the east, and then the directions are correct in
terms of right, left, etc.>>

Yes this is what is quoted by MB.
However, if one looks in Artscroll they leave out the phrase "face east"
In my shul which faces south I was the only one to turn to the east
and then begin.

So while I agree with Zev my question was whether there is any basis for facing
the aron kodesh and then begin forward, right etc.
which seems to be the poular custom


-- 
Eli Turkel