The Palestinian Talmud on Proper Use of a Synagogue

Samuel said: If he entered without intending to use it as a shortcut, he may use it as a shortcut. It was stated: One may not behave unbecomingly in synagogues and houses of study. One neither eats nor drinks in them, nor takes walks in them, nor sleeps in them, nor enters into them because of the sun in summer or because of the rain in winter, but one studies and preaches in them. R. Joshua ben Levi said: Synagogues and houses of study are for the sages and their students. R. Ḥiyya [and] R. Yasa were received in the synagogue. R. Immi commanded the teachers: If a person comes to you who is dirtied by study, accept him and his donkey and his implements. R. Berekhiah went to the synagogue of Beth Shean. He saw a man washing his hands and feet from its pail. He told him, “It is forbidden to you.” On the next day, this man saw him washing his hands and feet from its pail. He said to him, “Rabbi, to you it is permitted and to me it is forbidden?” He answered him, “Yes.” He asked, “Why?” He said to him, “So says R. Joshua ben Levi: Synagogues and houses of study are for the sages and their students.” These forecourts, may one pass through them? R. Abbahu passed through its forecourt. Is it permitted? R. Zachariah the son-in-law of R. Levi said: The teacher was intimidating, and if R. Abbahu had not passed through, he would not have let go the children.