Note: These Halachos are just as important for men to learn and know, as they are for women.
When Reading in Shul, DO NOT Read During Davening or Krias HaTorah
...Continued from previous week
1) It is incumbent upon Jewish men and women to not be in a situation of "Ta'aruvos" (literally, a mixture), in a [public] gathering where males and females are mixed together.
2) This applies to all gatherings indoors and outdoors, including, but not limited to, in Shul or a house of an Avel R"L or other places where davening takes place as well as at a Chupah or other parts of a wedding or any party or R"L at a Levaya or Hesped. (See Talmud Sukkah 51b-52a, Shulchan Aruch Siman 529:4, Mishna Berura S"K 22 and Biur Halacha Siman 339 Dibur Hamaschil L'Hakel. See also Shu"t Chasam Sofer Choshen Mishpat (hashmatos) Siman 190 and Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 5 Siman 12. An actual mechitzah may only be necessary for indoor gatherings, where it is possibly an Issur D'Oraysa to not have one, while outdoor gatherings may only require a separation and not an actual mechitzah. See Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 1 Siman 39 at length.)
3) Regarding situations of Ta'aruvos, there is no difference if the females are married or single; males may not be in a "mixed gathering" with them. (See Biur Halacha ibid. see also Igros Moshe Yoreh Deah Vol. 2 Siman 104 and Yoreh Deah Vol. 3 Siman 78 that even male and female children should not go to school together or otherwise engage in mixed activities. See also Sefer Chasidim Siman 168)
4) If a woman finds herself in such a gathering, she is obligated to get up and leave in order to not be a part of the Chilul Hashem (as the larger the mixed gathering, the larger the Chilul Hashem) and also to "make a point of protest" [especially if the people in the gathering are aware of the prohibition of mixed gatherings, yet for whatever reason decide to be lax, as is unfortunately sometimes the case]. (See Rama Siman 608:2 and Mishna Berura there. If the situation can be fixed and a mechitzah put up, or at least to separate the males and females, of course that would be better than simply protesting. See Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 1 Siman 44)
5) At a public gathering that includes a sit down meal, such as at a Bris, Sheva Brachos, banquet or any similar event, males and females should not eat in the same room without a separation, even if they are eating on separate tables, as if they are too close and can see one another it will lead to impure thoughts. It goes without saying that males and females should not sit on the same tables at these public events.
According to some Poskim, at a Sheva Brachos where males and females are not separated by a mechitzah [and they can see one another], the Bracha of "Shehasimcha B'Meono, that our joy reaches the abode of Hashem" is not recited, as it isn't a Simcha in the eyes of Hashem when the situation is such that it can lead to thoughts of sin. (This is especially prevalent at a Simcha where females tend to "dress up" and are thus very attractive looking to males. See Be'er Heitev Siman 622:2 quoting Tosafos in Megilah 31a Dibur Hamaschil B'Mincha. See Bais Shmuel Even HaEzer Siman 62:11 and Mishna Berura Siman 415:2)
6) Nowadays, some Poskim are lenient regarding the recitation of this Bracha and allow it even without a [proper] Mechitzah as long as the tables of males and females are adequately separated. (See Pischei Teshuva Even HaEzer Siman 62:18 quoting the Levush. See Shu"t Shevet Haleivi Vol. 8 Siman 281 that L'chatchilah at least some sort of physical separation [such as a low mechitzah] should be made as a "mental reminder" to stay on the proper side.)
As with all Halachos, a Rav must be consulted for Halacha L'ma'aseh.
7) It is prohibited to daven in a Shul that does not have a [Kosher] Mechitza (separation) between the men and the women. Even if the women are dressed modestly, it is still prohibited to daven in such a shul.
8) Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 1 Siman 39) and others (including the Seridei Aish Vol. 2 Siman14) maintain that a Mechitza in a Shul is a biblical obligation as not having the separation may lead to Kalus Rosh (levity) between the genders, and may lead to touching and/or excessive interacting and communicating.
9) The Mechitza in a Shul must be a minimum of 3 Amos high (between 60 and 72 inches, depending on how you determine the size of a Tefach)
10) Anything lower than that is ineffective and unacceptable. Rav Moshe Feinstein adds that those who make it higher, to the point that no part of the women's heads can be seen, will receive additional Heavenly blessings, especially in Shuls where there are women who do not have their heads covered according to Halacha. (See Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 1 Siman 39, Vol. 3 Siman 23 and 24 and Vol. 4 Siman 30 and 31 for more about this. See also Seridei Aish Vol. 2 Siman14)
Rav Moshe Zatzal adds that the aforementioned Halachos are not only pertinent during davening, but also at any gathering in the Shul. (funeral, Simchas Bais HaShoeva, Sheva Brachos etc.) where men and women are present, a Mechitza must separate them.)
...To be continued B’Ezras Hashem next week
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The Halachos are based on my personal understanding of the Halachic texts quoted, and are for learning purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha. If you have questions or require further source information, please email [email protected] and I will try to respond as soon as I can. For a Halacha L’Ma’aseh Psak, please contact your local Orthodox Rav.
