I was davening in a really frum shteibel in Boro Park. The davening sounded like it was taking place in Yiddish. FRRRRUMMMMM! Then I realized something strange. When I was younger this shteibel used to be called not "Beis Toyrah Vi'avoida Vi'yirah Vi'ahavuu" but 'Sweet "Cheeses" Latter Day Saints Present Day Sinners Convocational Church For Hail Mary's And Touchdowns' [in honor of the deacon of the church Doug Flutie. A friday night meal at the Ehrman's for the first person to email me explaining the depth of the name of this church].
OYYYYY! A kloyzter [church in the vernacular]. Is it permitted to turn a church into a shul??
The Mishna Brura says that it is permitted but Rav Moshe Feinstein is really negative on the idea.
For more information see Mishna Brura קנא מה, Igros Moshe 1/49, Tzitz Eliezer 12/15, Hegyonei Parsha [Behar] and much, much more.
Whattya think??
