<p>The Mishan Brurah, authorized by the Chofetz Chaim, who undisputably is greater than the Rav and other who davened at the old YU beit medrash disagree with what you said.</p> <p>The halacha is very clear that if the Aron Kodesh is not on the mizrach wall, you face mizrach not the aron kodesh. Same halacha also syas if you are in a shul which the aron is not on mizrach wall, and people incorrectly face the aron, you should not do differently. That is possiblty why all the gedolim who davened at YU davened the wrong way. The big question is why didnt they follow the correct halacha.</p> <p>Boruch hashem , no wthey have changed to be in compliance with the halacha, certainly not a disgrace as you callled it.</p>

<p>it may interst larry heller that there are other minhagim besides those listed in the mishna berurah, and the rav usually followed the minhagim of the shulchan aruch, with certain exceptions..... &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; also, if there is a minhag hamakom, and it becomes disregarded, i can understand why rav rakkeffet would call it a disgrace. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mr. Goldman,</p> <p>The halacha of facing mizrach is based on a gemarah. Last time i checked no one anywhere paskens about facing any other directions. If a minhag is doen based on a wrong, it&nbsp;is&nbsp;a mitzva to rid such a wrong minhag.&nbsp;</p>