From the Ravs Desk: Shaalos & Teshuvos on Kol Isha

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It is forbidden for one’s wife to sing Shabbos Zemiros during times of Nida.[1] This applies even if she is singing together with other family members or guests.[2] During times of purity, however, it is permitted for her to do so [if other male guests are not present].[3] Nonetheless, some limit this only to tunes that do not contain verses of scripture or the name of Hashem.[4]

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[1] See Chok Yaakov 479:6 that a woman should not sing the Hodu by Halel of the Seder due to Kol Isha; Yosef Ometz 603; Be’r Sheva Kuntrus Ber Mayim Chaim 3; Az Nidbaru 3:71; 9:59; Otzer Haposkim 21; Menachem Meishiv 26; Tahrah Kehalacha 14:24; Halichos Bas Yisrael 6:11

[2] Be’r Sheva Kuntrus Ber Mayim Chaim 3; Be’r Yehuda on Sefer Chassidim L.S. 3; Suga Beshoshanim 16:6-7; Shevet Halevi 5:197-4; Shiureiy Shevet Halevi 6:2; Taharah Kehalacha 14:24; Halichos Bas Yisrael 6:11

Other opinions: Some Poskim argue and rule the prohibition of Kol Isha does not apply when a group of people are singing together. [Chasam Sofer O.C. Shaar Taharas Hayadayim 14 based on Shoftim 5 that Devora and Barak sang together the Shira; See also Sridei Aish 2:8 regarding Zemiros]

[3] Implication of Chok Yaakov and Poskim ibid that the singing of Zemiros is not considered Torah learning even though it contains words of verses. Vetzaruch Iyun!

[4] Halichos Bas Yisrael 6:11

May a man hear a woman singing if he does not know who she is?

Some Poskim[1] rule it is permitted to do so.[2] Other Poskim[3] rule it is forbidden to do so[4], and so is the practical ruling.

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[1] Beis Shearim 53; One way of learning Maharam Shick E.H. 53

[2] The reason: As the Yetzer Hara only has a lust towards that what he sees. [Poskim ibid]

[3] Peri Hasadeh 3/32; Ohel Moshe 1/32; Birchas Chaim 21; Birchas Shamayim 30; Poskim in Otzer Haposkim 21; Yaskil Avdi 5/12; Chelkas Yaakov 1/30 and 163; Minchas Yitzchak 7/70; Shevet Halevi 3/181; 5/197-3; Az Nidbaru 9/59; Rav SZ”A in Halichos Shlomo 20/12

[4] The reason: As one is not allowed to hear a woman’s voice even if he does not know her identity, as the rule that the Yetzer Hara only has a lust towards that which he sees was said only regarding future erotic thoughts, however at the time of the hearing of the sound, it certainly has erotic thoughts. [Poskim ibid]

May a man hear many women singing simultaneously?[1]

No.

[1] Shevet Halevi 5/197-4; However, see Seridei Eish O.C. 14

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.

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