• Tosfos understands Rashi to be referring to a case where one is outside the Shul, but in front of it.
  • Tosfos asks: He can't turn towars the shul; he would be facing the opposite direction of the tzibur?
  • Tosfos learns: He is standing behind the shul.
  • Gemora (30a) Tosfos states: One should face towards the Beis Hamikdosh. This explains Tosfos' question here.
  • Rabbeinu Yonah there has the version that he should focus his mind towards Beis Hamikdosh. Accordingly, we could understand Rashi; they might be facing different directions, but they are both facing the Aron in the Shul, which will lead them to focus on the Shechina in the Beis Hamikdosh. (Mishmeres Moed)
  • The prohibition seems to be only by Shemoneh Esrei and Modim when we bow down; however, from Noda Beyahudah, it would seem that it applies during the entire tefillah. (Meon Habrocha)
  • There is no witchcraft on Shabbos.
  • One should not beseech Hashem for two different things in one tefillah; some say that by tefillas Mincha, one can. The proof is from Eliyahu's tefillah.