Yud Zayin Elul, 5774
A certain individual once built a house whose height extended above the height of the local shul. When he discovered that the shul is supposed to be the highest and most prominent building in town (see Shabbos 11a), he quickly hastened to do his best to solve the issue. Instead of breaking down his house and building it anew at a lower level, he decided to erect a flag on the roof of the shul, thus elevating its height. Would such a method be effective to allow him to keep his house at its present height?
This question was posed to R. Chaim Elazar Shapiro, the author of Minchas Elazar. R. Shapiro explains that this doubt can be resolved by clarifying whether a flag or similar structure is to be viewed as a part of the building itself or as a separate entity. If the flag is considered as part of the shul, it would indeed be effective; if not, however, erecting a flag would not resolve the issue.
Perhaps this question can be answered based on a quote from the above-mentioned Gemara: "When were these words stated [that the houses in the city may not rise above the shul]? With regard to the houses themselves. But with regard to structures and towers [built as an extension above the house], there is no concern." This Gemara clearly demonstrates that these structures are not to be viewed as part of the house. It thus follows that attaching a flag to the roof of a shul does not affect the height of the shul itself.
However, this proof can be challenged. One can argue that the reason why one may build a structure atop his house that rises above the height of the shul is (not because it is a separate entity, but) because one is not degrading the shul by doing so,being that the structure is not inhabited or used (see Tosafos Yeshanim, Shabbos ad loc.). In truth, however, a structure is considered as part of the house, and erecting a flag over a shul should thus be advantageous.
R. Shapiro raises another issue which would pose a problem in this case. Recent times have seen an increase in the establishing of "new" Temples, characterized by flags and similar structures meant to give the "synagogue" a more modern look. Building a flag can thus be seen as a slant towards this wrong viewpoint, and it may even entail an issur de'oraysa (see Hasagas HaRaavad, Avodah Zarah 11:1). Doing so is thus out of the question.
As a solution, R. Shapiro suggested that a pole be erected atop the shul to elevate its height. Although the Magen Avraham (Orach Chaim 150:3) writes that this is ineffective, the Peri Megadim (ad loc.) states that one may employ this method if no other option is present. Nowadays, as well, no other option is available, as anything more impressive than a simple pole can be viewed as a resemblance to movements not in line with the Torah.
(Shu"t Minchas Elazar 1:57)