Passing between two people of the opposite gender:[1]
A [lone[2]] man may not pass in between two women, and a [lone] woman [may not pass] between two men, due to that the evil spirit resides [on the person when he/she does so]. [This especially applies if the woman is a Nidda[3], although is not exclusive to if she is, and applies starting from the age of Mitzvos.[4] It applies whether the men/women are Jewish or gentile.[5] This applies even if the women are one’s relatives, such as one’s daughters, and applies whether the women are married or single.[6] It only applies if the women/men are parallel within four Amos of each other. It is debated if it applies if one is sitting, or if the two men/women are sitting, or walking. One who transgresses this causes himself to forget his Torah learning or have difficulty in his comprehension of Torah.[7] In the event that one is unable to avoid walking between two men/women then she/he is to take hold of an item in their hand to separate between him and them.]
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Q&A May one walk between two men/women relatives, such as a man walking between his wife and daughter, or between his two daughters, or a woman walking between her husband and son, or between two sons?[8] No, one may not walk even between relatives. However, some write that one’s wife does not count as one of the two women.[9]
May two men/women walk between two women/men?[10] Yes. Two men or women who are walking together side by side may walk between two women/men.
How close together must the men/women be for there to be an issue for one of the opposite gender to walk between them?[11] It is only an issue to walk between the two men/women if the two people are standing within four Amos [196 cm.] of each other.
Must the two men/women be parallel to each other for there to be an issue to walk between them?[12] It is only an issue to walk between the two men/women if the two people are standing parallel to each other and on the same level of height. Thus, if one of the women is standing on the stairs and another is talking to her below the stairs, there is no issue to walk between them.
May one walk between two girls/boys below the age of Bar/Bas Mitzvah?[13] Yes. However, some are stringent in this matter
May one walk between two men/women who are sitting, such as on a bus? Some suggest that the prohibition applies only if the women/men are standing, while if they are sitting then it is permitted to walk or sit between them.[14] Others, however, are stringent even in such a case.[15]
May one walk between two men/women who are walking? Some Poskim[16] write that it is permitted to do so, as the entire issue is when the men/women are standing still.
May one sit between two men/women, such as on the Shabbos table? Some suggest that the prohibition applies only if the women/men are standing, while if they are sitting then it is permitted to walk or sit between them.[17] Likewise, some suggest that the issue is only is only if one is standing between the two women, while if one is sitting between them then it is permitted.[18] Others, however, are stringent even in such a case.[19]
What is one to do if he cannot avoid walking between two men or women?[20] One is to hold something in his hand, such as his phone, wallet, or bag, and have in mind that it separate between them. If one does not have anything in his hand, he should hold his Peiyos or beard.
What is the Tikkun for one to do in the event that he passed between two women? If a man passed between two women, the Talmud[21] records the following Tikkun that he can do: Rav Papa says that he should recite a verse that begins and ends with the name Keil or with the word Lo. The following is the suggested verse that begins and ends with Keil:[22] אל מוציאם ממצרים כתועפית ראם לו כי לא נחש ביעקב ולא קסם בישראל כעת יאמר ליעקב ולישראל מה פעל אל. The following is the suggested verse that begins and ends with Lo:[23] לא איש אל ויכזב ומאדם ויתנחם ההוא אמר’ ולא יעשה ודבר ולא יקימנה Other alternative verses of Keil and Lo:[24] אל אלהים ה’ הצילנו מכל רע ומכל נזק אשר בידך כח וגבורה כי אתה אל לא תטשני אלהי תעזבני שמרני כאישון בת עין טרם אקרא תענני ואל תאמר לא |
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[1] Admur Hilchos Shemiras Haguf Vinefesh 9; Pesachim 111a “Shelosha Ein Mimatzin Lo Mismatzin….Vehaisha”; Horiyos 13b; Elya Raba 3:10; Rav Akiva Eiger 156; Ben Ish Chaiy Pinchas 17; Kitzur SHU”A 3:8; Aruch Hashulchan 2:6; Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh 111 footnote 1; Salmas Chaim 2:35; Sefer Ein Lamo Michshal 7:357; See Ben Yehoyada Pesahim ibid
[2] See Q&A that two men may walk together between two women
[3] See Pesachim ibid that if the woman is a Nidda it is dangerous for the men, and can kill them if it is the beginning of Nida, or cause them to fight if it is the end of Nida. However, see Tosafus ibid that some Mefarshim limit this danger to a case that the woman does Kishuf/sorcery on them.
[4] See Q&A!
[5] Setimas Kol Haposkim
[6] See Sefer Ein Lamo Michshal 7:357 and Q&A!
[7] Horiyos ibid; Aruch Hashulchan ibid; See Kaf Hachaim 2:3
[8] Sefer Ein Lamo Michshal 7:357 in name of today’s Poskim
[9] Rivivos Efraim 8:291
[10] Ben Ish Chaiy Pinchas 17
[11] Ben Ish Chaiy Pinchas 17
[12] Ben Ish Chaiy Pinchas 17
[13] Siach Hasadeh [Kaznievsky] Sefer Hazichron p. 12; Shevet Hakehasi 2:325; Sefer Ein Lamo Michshal 7:357 in name of today’s Poskim
[14] So rule Rav Chaim Kanievsky and Rav Pinchas Sheinberg and Rav Elyashiv, brought in Kuntrus Ubilechticha Baderech 3:3
[15] Ein Lamo Michshal ibid that so is implied from Ben Ish Chaiy ibid and that so rules Chemdas Avraham 3:33 and Vayeishev Moshe 73
[16] Salmas Chaim 2:35
[17] So rule Rav Chaim Kanievsky and Rav Pinchas Sheinberg
[18] See Minchas Yitzchak 10:68-2
[19] Ein Lamo Michshal ibid that so is implied from Ben Ish Chaiy ibid and that so rules Chemdas Avraham 3:33 and Vayeishev Moshe 73
[20] Shemiras Hanefesh 74 in gloss in name of Sefer Hazichron; Siach Hasadeh [Kaznievsky] Sefer Hazichron p. 12; See Ein Lamo Michshal 7:358
[21] Pesachim ibid; See Chemdas Avraham 33 for a dispute in Mefarshima nd Poskim as to whether this Takana only protects from the danger or also protects one from forgetfulness
[22] Rashi and Rashbam ibid
[23] Rashi and Rashbam ibid
[24] Rabbeinu Channael, brought in Tosafus Pesachim ibid
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