Note: These Halachos are just as important for men to learn and know, as they are for women.
...Continued from previous week
1) Married women, as well as divorced and widowed women, may not be seen publicly with their hair uncovered, as the hair of a woman that is [or was] married is considered Erva. (See Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer Siman 21:2 and Bais Shmuel Os 5. See also Rashi to Sanhedrin 58b Dibur Hamaschil MiShetifra. In certain limited instances, certain leniencies may apply to divorced women; for halacha L'ma'aseh a Rav must be consulted for each individual situation)
2) Single girls [who were never yet married] may be seen in public with their hair uncovered. (See Bais Shmuel ibid.)
3) Any area that is considered "covered" may not be revealed on a woman in the presence of men under any circumstances, as those areas are considered Ervah, and a man may not gaze at the Erva of a woman. This applies equally to married and single females. (See Rama Orach Chaim Siman 75 and Mishna Berura S"K 6 and 7)
4) In the presence of her husband, only if a tefach (between 3 and 4 inches) or more of a covered area is exposed is it considered Ervah. (In that case her husband may not recite Brachos or Krias Shma or other Tefilos in the presence of the Erva). (See Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim Siman 75)
5) A woman may not wear clothing that is thin and see-through so that her skin is visible through her garments. (See Mogen Avrohom beginning of Siman 75)
6) A woman whose collar bone is uncovered to the point that it is exposed almost to her bosom, is considered to be revealing Ervah. (See Tiferes Shmuel's commentary on the Rosh, Brachos Perek 3 Os 37. IMPORTANT NOTE: Although it may not be considered Ervah until it is revealed until that point, it may still be a serious issue of lack of proper Tznius to expose too much of the collar bone. As with ALL Halachos that one may read in this, or any other forum, it is of utmost importance to consult with one's own Rav for halacha l'ma'aseh and not rely on what is written here for final Psak halacha, as the Halachos we write are for learning purposes only and any variation in the facts or situation can totally change the halacha.)
7) A woman may not wear men's clothing, including men's pants and men's hats, as doing so is a biblical prohibition of "Lo Yihyeh Kli Gever Al Isha, a man's clothing shall not be on a woman" (Devarim 2:5)
This prohibition extends to any action done by a woman to make her look like a man, including shaving in a masculine manner. (See Rashi ibid. and Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman 182:5)
8) Some Poskim rule that the prohibition is only in place when done for the express purpose of looking like a man, but if wearing a man's garment for protection from the sun, rain or other elements it would be permitted. (Taz on Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman182 S"K 4)
However, other Poskim are stringent, and it is best for a woman to avoid men's clothing at all costs. (Ruling of the Bach quoted in Taz ibid.)
9) A man may gaze at his wife and take pleasure in her beauty even during the days when she is a Nidah. (See Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman 195:7 and Even HaEzer Siman 21:4). However, when she is a Nidah he should refrain from gazing at the covered parts of her body. (ibid.)
10) A woman who is unwell during the time that she is a Nidah may not be physically assisted by her husband to get into or out of the bed or chair or similar assistance. (Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman 195:16)
11) If there is nobody else present to assist her, some Poskim allow her to be assisted by him. This is the prevalent minhag in cases of absolute necessity. (Rama ibid.)
12) If a man is ill and unable to wash his hands in the morning by himself (Negel Vasser) it is preferable that they not be washed by a female aide during the time when she is a Nidah. (See Ben Ish Chai; Year one, Parashas Toldos Siman12)
13) A man may be present in the delivery room where his wife is giving birth in order to support her and keep her calm, but being that he is forbidden from gazing at her covered areas while she is a Nidah, he must not watch the actual delivery. (See Shu"t Igros Moshe Yoreh Deah Vol. 2 Siman 75)
...To be continued B’Ezras Hashem next week
