Calling a Friend Whose Name is “Shalom” Whilst Not Wearing a Head Covering
There is a din mentioned in Maseches Sofrim (14:15) and brought down l’halachah that without a head covering it is forbidden to mention the name of Hashem.
The question is, if one has a friend called “Shalom” (which is one of Hashem’s names) is he allowed to call out his friends name if he is not wearing a head covering. The Shulchan Aruch (84) rules that to wish people “shalom” in a bathhouse, in an area where everyone is undressed is forbidden. The Mishnah Berurah explains: The reason one should refrain from doing so is because, Shalom is one of the names of Hashem. However, when it comes to calling a person who is called Shalom by his name in the bathhouse the Mishnah Berurah cites a machlokes haposkim. The Mishnah Berurah concludes by quoting the Tevuas Shor, who says that one may be lenient, however, one who has yiras Shomayim should be stringent, and he should swallow the ‘mem’ of Shalom and just say “Shalo”.
Based on the above, presumably the same thing should be regarding our shailah, and if one has no head covering, he should avoid calling his friend Shalom and he should call him Shalo or try and avoid mentioning his name altogether.
Saying “Shalom” to Someone Whose Head Isn’t Covered
If one is wearing a head covering, however, his friend isn’t, he should refrain from greeting his friend with “shalom aleichem”, as he will cause his friend to respond with “aleichem shalom”, and he will end up saying “shalom” without a head covering. The above is also very practical when one is sitting in the barbers having a haircut. The barber should refrain from wishing the client “shalom” as this will cause him to answer back, whilst not wearing a head covering. R’ Moshe (Igros Moshe, Orach Chaim 4:40:24) rules accordingly. However, he adds: If one is worried that his friend will be angry etc. then one doesn’t need to be stringent, however, he should start the conversation by saying “what’s news with you etc.” and should try and avoid saying “shalom” (see also Sdei Chemed, Vol. 1, Ma’areches 1:13 d.h. u’linyan).
Divrei Torah Without a Head Covering
Regarding saying words of Torah without a head covering, the Shu”t Maharshal (72) writes, although there is no prohibition, and it is not even a middas chasidus [pious act] to refrain if one doesn’t mention Hashem’s name, a Talmid Chocham should refrain as people will learn from him and will come to make light of the issue. Practically, the Mishnah Berurah (2:12) rules, that it is forbidden to learn without a head covering.
If one isn’t speaking words of Torah himself, and is merely listening to others, it would seem that one should still refrain. The Pri Megodim (M.Z. 183:3) cites the Darkei Moshe who says, that if one is not wearing a head covering, it is permissible for him to listen to Hashem’s name being cited and one can be yoitza a berachah using shom’ea ke’oneh [hearing as if the listener himself spoke]. However, he then cites a Bach which says it is forbidden. In the end, the Pri Megodim sides with the Bach due to the rule of shom’ea ke’oneh.
However, the Toras Chaim (91:1) writes: Even the Bach would agree, that if the listener places his hand on his head, it is considered enough of a head covering. Although, the Shulchan Aruch (91:4) rules, that when it comes to mentioning a name of Hashem, covering one’s head with his hand isn’t enough, regarding shom’ea ke’oneh it’s enough, especially as the Darkei Moshe is lenient without a covering altogether. Additionally, the Mishnah Berurah (2:12) writes, under pressing circumstances one can be lenient and cover his head with his hands, even to make a berachah himself.
Practically, if one is by the beach with some friends with his head uncovered, and he hears them talking Torah, he can listen in if he covers his head with his hand. Especially as by Torah we don’t need to come on to shome’a k’eoneh like we do by berachos. (See also Shu”t Divrei Yisroel 1:17 who writes, that under pressing circumstances one can be lenient and learn without a head covering, as long as one does it in his head, without looking into a sefer).
However, if one who isn’t wearing a head covering wants to speak in Torah himself, since the Mishnah Berurah cites a machlokes if in such a case covering with one’s hand is enough, and even those who are lenient are only lenient under pressing circumstances, he should ask his friend to place his hand over his head. Even if one’s own hand isn’t good enough, that’s because the hand and body are one, however, using someone else’s hand is not considered one’s body and is considered a good covering (see Shulchan Aruch 91:4).
They bring that R’ Avraham Ganachovsky zt”l would talk in learning with another Talmud Chocham when they were both inside the sea, even if just one of them had a yarmulke. And they would pass it back and forth, and when one was talking, he would have the yarmulke, and when he finished and the next one would start talking he would wear the yarmulke. And this would go back and forth (cited in Agan HaSar, Vol. 1, pg. 614)
