From the Ravs Desk: Latest articles and Q&A [Thursday 17th Iyar 5785]

Post Views: 221

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Buy in Paperback or Kindle [4 Volumes]
Buy on Apple Books
Purchase on our website
Join Daily Halacha distribution list
Donate

Recent Q&A

Does the prohibition of Kol Isha apply in the presence of a Gentile man? May Jewish women sing in the presence of a Gentile man, such as a non-Jewish bus driver?

While the argument can certainly be made that there is no prohibition to do so, it should not be done for the sake and pleasure of the Gentile, and simply if they desire to sing for themselves and the Gentile will overhear them then it may be done.

Explanation:

There is no clear arbitration on this subject. On the one hand, the prohibition of Arayos applies even to Gentiles and it is forbidden for a Jew to cause a Gentile to sin just as it is forbidden for a Jew to cause a Jew to sin. On the other hand, it would be preposterous to suggest that the prohibition of Kol Isha applies to gentiles, as at most this is a rabbinical prohibition, and the sages did not decree on the gentiles. On the other hand, perhaps it is forbidden to cause a Gentile to have forbidden thoughts even if he is technically not commanded in that matter of adherence. However as a counterargument, one can suggest that Gentiles are not as affected by a women’s voice as are Jewish men. Practically, we concluded as above that there is no prohibition to do so, so long as the modesty of the woman is kept that she does not do so on behalf of the Gentile.

Sources: See Chut Shani; Menuchas Emes 18:79; Levusha Shel Torah 72;Yismach Yisrael Abromson p. 348; See regarding Kol Isha being Rabbinical:  Nishmas Adam 4:1; Kaf Hachaim 75:27; However see Michaber E.H. 21:1;; Perisha 21:2 on Tur E.H. 21 who rules that listening to the singing of an Erva is Biblically forbidden. See regarding Zera Levatala by gentiles: Rashba in name of Ramban, brought in Mishneh Limelech Melachim 10:7 “Venachzor”; Tosafus Sanhedrin 59b; Sh’lah Vayeishev p. 170; See regarding Lifnei Iver between Jew and gentile: Bava Metzia 90b

Yes. One is even to answer Amen to such blessings, if they are not idol worshipers.

Answering Amen to the blessing of Gentiles that are not idolaters – Shulchanaruchharav.com

Chassidus Articles

Halacha Articles

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

Leave A Comment?

You must be logged in to post a comment.