See: http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/mixed-seating
See also: http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/weekly_torah.php?id=454
Aug 17 The Mechitza – Why How and When Part 10
Aug 16 The Mechitza – Why How and When Part 9
Aug 15 The Mechitza – Why How and When Part 8
Aug 14 The Mechitza – Why How and When Part 7
Aug 13 The Mechitza Why How and When Part 6
Aug 12 The Mechitza – Why How and When Part 5
Aug 11 The Mechitza – Why How and When Part 4
Aug 10 The Mechitza – Why How and When Part 3
Aug 09 The Mechitza – Why How and When Part 2
Aug 08 The Mechitza – Why How and When Part
Compiled by Rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits
Reviewed by Rabbi Benzion Schiffenbauer Shlita
All Piskei Horav Yisroel Belsky Shlita are reviewed by Horav Yisroel Belsky Shlita
The Mechitza – Why How and When Part 7
Mixed Seating at Weddings
When men and women are seated together at a wedding the poskim say that the beracha of simcha b’miono is not recited at the sheva berochos because there is no simcha if men and women are sitting mixed.(38) The Levush (39) says if men and women see each other then no simcha b’miono is recited, but today since women are out on the streets more than in previous years we are not concerned that one will have thoughts about women. Many poskim say that the heter of the Levush does not apply in our day and age, since many women do not dress according to the way they are supposed to making people more susceptible to think about them. (40) Although years ago mixed seating may have been something which many people (even chareidim) did, this may not be done today and a mechitza should be made at every wedding.(41) Today, since the kallah is the only one brought into the men’s section at a wedding during sheva berochos, the beracha of simcha b’miono is recited. (42)
At a Chupah
Some poskim say that one should have a mechitza between men and women by a chupah.(43) Other poskim say the path separating the men and women (red carpet) is enough of a separation in this regard. The minhag seems to be like this second opinion.(44) Many Chassidim make the chupah outside; when the chupah is outside no mechitza is required. (45) (At a badeken and during the Smorgasbord a mechitza should be made, but it is not the custom). (46)
Footnotes
(38) Sefer Hapardes (Rashi) page 72:29, Sefer Chassidim 393:page 103, Yam Shel Shlomo Gittin 1:18, Kesubos 1:20, Bach E.H. 62, Be’er Heitiv E.H. 62:11, Bach Hachadoshes Y.D. 55:page 114, Bais Shmuel E.H. 62:11, Chasam Sofer C.M. 190:page 71, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 149:1, Orchos Tzaddikim simcha page 67, Pela Yoetz Chosson:page 249, Yeuhda Yaaleh 2:45:5, Ahavas Chesed 3:6:in footnote :page 286, Yabea Omer E.H 3:10:9, Natei Gavriel Nesuin 43:1, 94:3, Minhag Yisroel Torah Nesuin pages 210-212, Birchos Chasanim page 223:45:footnote 101, refer to Shulchan Aruch 529:4, Mishnah Berurah 22, Shar Ha’tzyion 21. (39) O.C. minhagim 36. (40) Lev Avraham 1:135, Vayivorech Dovid E.H. 1:121:page 12, Oz Nedberu 12:47. (41) Refer to Igros Moshe O.C. 1:39, 1:41, Be’er Moshe ibid, Teshuvos V’hanhugos 2:651, Natei Gavriel Nesuin 39:2, Journal Of Halacha and Contemporary Society 35:pages 34-35, Shearim Metzuyanim B’halacha 149:1. Some Chassidim have a wall between men and women (Yisroel Kedoshim pages 72-74). One should not let the women come to the men’s side of the hall (Ibid). It goes without saying that it is absolutely forbidden to have mixed dancing at a wedding (Refer to Ben Ish Chai Shoftim 1:18, Shiurei Beracha E.H. 21:1, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 152:13, Biur Halacha 339 “l’hukel,” Aruch Ha’shulchan 529:7, E.H. 65:3, Igros Moshe E.H. 1:97, 2:13, O.C. 2:30, 4:35, Minchas Yitzchok 3:109:1, 3:111, Be’er Moshe 4:147:31:page 236, Soveh Simchas 1:14:page 194, Nesuin K’hilchosom 13:26, Halichos Bas Yisroel 7:16, Yugel Yaakov pages 237-241:footnote 325, Yabea Omer 1:30:15). One is allowed to stay at a mixed wedding as long as he or she does not dance (Halichos Bas Yisroel 7:footnote 35). If a Yid wants to dance by a mixed wedding he should not take off his yarmulka (Igros Moshe Y.D. 2:33, see Yugel Yaakov page 232). One should not rent a hall to people if there will be mixed dancing (Igros Moshe Y.D. 1:72, O.C. 4:35). (42) Horav Yisroel Belsky Shlita, see Minhag Yisroel Torah Nisuin pages 210-212, Divrei Shalom 6:130. (43) Yabea Omer E.H. 3:10:9, Vayivorech Dovid E.H. 1:121, Be’er Moshe 4:147:31. (44) Refer to Srdei Eish 1:page 216:5, Asei Lecha Rav 3:40, 8:22, see Natei Gavriel Nesuin 18:1. (45) Vayivorech Dovid ibid:page 12. (46) Refer to Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society 35:page 61. One should not go to the women’s section to call his wife, rather a young child should be sent (V’ein Lumo Michshal 5:page 272).
Copyright 2012 Halachically Speaking
Halachically Speaking is a bi-weekly publication compiled by Rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits, a former chaver kollel of Yeshiva Torah Voda’ath and a musmach of Horav Yisroel Belsky, shlit”a. Rabbi Lebovits currently works as a Rabbinical Administrator for Kof-K Kosher Superivison.
Each issue reviews a different area of contemporary halacha with an emphasis
on practical applications of the principles discussed. Significant time is
spent ensuring the inclusion of all relevant shittos on each topic, as well
as the psak of Horav Yisroel Belsky, shlita on current issues. Detailed
footnotes are provided for further study.