6) As far as shaking hands with a non-Jewish woman for business, consider the following. What is the worst that can happen? Suppose the man actually did a complete maaseh with her. What did he violate? Answer, a drabbanan (Rambam based on gemara in A”Z). So how severe could shaking hands be? the analogy to Kashrus seems to be difficult, because A) that is deoraisa, B) that is bein adam lamakom, whereas this is bein adam lachaveiro. In addition, I heard in the name of one of the acharonim that not only is it muttar, but if one doesn’t shake the hand of a woman who extends it, it is a huge chillul hashem and makes Jews seem like barbarians with no manners.
Let’s start with shaking hands. When speaking of Jewish woman – any Jewish woman- religious, irreligious – she is an Ervah. That means, there is an Issur – D’Orayasah! of Lo Sikrevu – getting close. This in fact Yeharog V’Al Yaavor. All poskim agree that Lo Sikrevu – that is, a Maaseh Chiba , a physical action of closeness – is forbidden. Hugging – yeah, you have throw yourself under a bus rather then hug an ervah. Or let yourself get electrocuted. Or eating by red ants. Or jump in a meat grinder. Eaten by tarantulas.
This is Halacha L’maaseh.
R’ Moshe writes with shock that he heard someone said that shaking hands is not calling a maaseh chiba, and says it’s very hard to understand. And we’re with – nevermind d’orayasah – Yeharag V’Al Yaavor.
Now that before you’ve shook the womans hand, you inquire as to her yichus – well, you asks what’s so bad, can’t you just sleep with her? Heck it’s only a derabban!
Wow, I have to respond to this one, because publicly writing that sleeping with a gentile woman is a drabban is immensely stupid & misleading.
If it is Derech Ishus – oh, you get Kares. If it’s done publically – you get skwereed, prefebably by a aidele Kanai with a spear. This all the Rambam writes. Even if it’s not Derech Ishus.
The Ran in Sanhedrin says that even B’Tzinah has Kares & Yehareg V’Al Yaavor.
You know, like Zimri. Heck, it probably wasn’t all that bad anyway. What was pinchas thinking?
So mean once, with no feelings what so ever – and no one ever finds out. Oh – and why worry about that?
The question that Rambam deals with is what Onesh you get. The Nemukey Yosef – says in Sanhedrin that if you hold that the Malkoes is Drabban – it is still Yeharog V’Al Yaavor. Yeah, it means find the nearest bus.
In conclusion, being with a goyah is Yeharog V’Al Yaavor – even according to the Rambam.
Yes, so you are playing with fire. The Rishonim deal Lo Sikrevu by a non-jew ….but you are being silly. And irresponsible, to post a technicality in Rambam.
The question is if shaking hands are a maaseh chiba. But don’t make light of sleeping around. But if it is a Maaseh Chiba – well, you’ve got to be a barbarian.