Always_Ask_Questions

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  • in reply to: Bowling in Kiamesha #2013039

    Gadol, it applies: drilling itself is not an aveira. Depends what you are drilling in.

    in reply to: Worried about shidduchim #2013037

    I would encourage you to separate two issues – (1) “less observant” and (2) “modern”. These are not the same things. You need to analyze your family circumstance: what belongs to each of these categories. If you understand the difference, then you might (or not) discover that some of your family values are worth keeping. For example, a more modern schooling or family background may have prepared you better for challenges of interacting with outside world, workplace, etc. You may still want to change your approach to a different one after due consideration, but at least you need to show respect to your parent’s derech by not discarding it as inappropriate (if that is what it is).

    So, if you can find value in your background, then you original question is similar to: how about a Yekke marrying a Litvak with less if undue low self-esteem.

    in reply to: Rabbi Moshe Tendler AH #2013032

    notes from a talk by R Moshe Kurtz, a recent talmid:

    He asked R Tendler ZT’L how he met his future wife, Shifra. They met at a public library, where he was studying biology, and she asked him a biology question .. Later on, R Feinstein approached R Tendler Senior (they were on the same Beis din), and when father asked the son, he replied that he is already pursuing it .. AAQ: would this be Ms Feinstein approaching R Tendler first and then her Father? Anyone knows more on this?

    R Tendler was niftar on Shmini Atzert – not on his birthday, like Moshe, but on his wife’s birthday …

    Also asked R Tendler re:R Feinstein allowing halav stam but keeping halav Isroel himself. Was he not sure of his own psak? Stricter with himself? R Tendler said people misunderstood. R Feinstein was concerned that he was holding by halav Isroel before, equivalent to a neder, and quoted a Gemora about someone entering Gan Eden alive due to never needing to annul a neder …

    R Tendler’s approach: learn the facts, data before going to halakha. At a Niddah class, he would pass specimen around, asking students to categorize.

    When they learned on Zoom, R Kurtz turned to the side to greet his wife entering the house. R Tendler told him that this was not proper – he needs to get up and greet his wife with full attention.

    They once had a Gemora shiur together – R Tendler, R Kurtz and his wife. They were making a picture after that. R Tendler instructed the wife to open Gemora back so that people would have no doubt that she was learning.

    He asked R Tendler what he thinks of R Feinstein disapproving of women learning Gemorah. He answered that if R Feinstein would have seen how they approach it now, he would be happy that his great-granddaughter is learning. Meaning that at some point this was an issue of feminism, external influence, among other controversial issues. R Tendler is simply seeing women sufficiently educated, committed, and capable of learning and does not think they should miss out on this.

    When Covid started, R Tendler was waiting for some time for someone to help him install Zoom. YU, respectably, sent a senior 60-yo Rabbi to help. This did not work until they sent a younger person …Lately, R Tendler was giving his Zoom shiurim from the hospital bed to the point where he was getting tired and could not continue.

    in reply to: Please explain Ivermectin #2013014

    I have no problem reviewing various medicines that could be another layer in addition to vaccines, SD, masks, approved medicines.

    For guys, who advocate some of these medicines INSTEAD of other things – are these your own ideas and you_all came up with them independently? If not, what is the source of your ideas – friends? radio? web? could you please share

    in reply to: Kayin builds a city #2012722

    One of the explanations for Cain is that he felt that his brother was too much of a tzaddik – without his better korban, Cain’s korban would have been accepted. Similarity and 2nd connection to Lemech and Noach.

    in reply to: Arrogance and Hyoocrisy on the left #2012725

    > hitting a new low,

    Chill, this is a very local low, they used to put people into labor camps.

    in reply to: Classics and Beyond Noach — Taking Leave #2012726

    > when I told you I was going to bring a Mabul, you knew you would be safe in the teivah, so you didn’t daven for the rest of the world

    interesting, this sounds more Lubavich than Satmar. We are, indeed, are all in the same boat.

    in reply to: Kayin builds a city #2012715

    Koheleth Rabbah also says that Kayin had 100 sons, enough to populate a town.

    There is ambivalence whether Cain is guilty of murder or manslaughter (no precedent, he got angry, Abel provoked him, or even Hashem provoked him, etc), and his teshuva is half-baked: he demands protection at the end instead of pleading for it. So, he gets half-forgiveness: lives a long life, but is eventually killed in a similar (inadvertent-sic!) manner, not buried.

    Also, in an analogy to inadvertent killers, it may be appropriate for him to reside in a city of refuge rather than travelling around forever.

    legal reasoning source:
    Irene Merker Rosenberg, Yale L. Rosenberg CAIN ROSE UP AGAINST His BROTHER ABEL AND KILLED HIM: MURDER OR MANSLAUGHTER?
    they are quoting ALAN M. DERSHOWITZ, THE GENESIS OF JUSTICE 16 (2000) that I did not look up yet.

    in reply to: Teaching Individual Responsibility #2012687

    Given that most youngsters are not aware that there are books out there, anything encouraging reading is OK by me. In my area, they rescinding fines in the honor of COVID, my kids ordered a bunch of them, and even read some… The fines are now back and we are searching for those books now…

    By the way, this was an early Netflix approach v. Blockbuster – instead of annoying fees, you could keep a fixed number of DVDs. So, maybe libraries can do the same – let you keep N books and exchange for new ones.

    in reply to: Short Skirts #2012696

    RebE, apologize, I did not look at what I copied. Don’t know how to control my Ctrl-V. You’ll be better off going to the original source, anyway.

    Ujm, does you source have more details on that English student story? It is bothering me that he possibly disregarded his father’s halakhic sources and went somewhere else. Oz Vehadar is an unclear reference, this seems to be a publishing house only, not a sefer.

    in reply to: Should Firetrucks be red? #2012582

    Coujld a Jewish firelady object to the color on the account of tznius?
    What color are firetrucks in Monsey?
    Do you mention the midrash of common letters of ish and isha at a firefighter wedding?

    in reply to: Black and White #2012563

    RebE > Chasidim did not want to mix with Non-Jews

    Rebe, are you saying that Chasidim did not use this levush while it was popular among Poles?

    in reply to: Kayin builds a city #2012407

    If Kayin understood that Hashem wants him to rely on his intellect and be productive rather than simply rely on what earth gives him, he needed enough people to develop industries that will entice farmers to bring food in exchange for the goods. It was before the plough, so maybe he was making and sharpening cutting tools, axes, blades? Maybe medical and vet services? And then have research and teaching around that? I would say at least tens of people.

    in reply to: Where can I post to hire a night seder Zoom Chavrusa? #2012273

    > when I can’t see the person face to face,

    I think this is an astute observation. I also noticed – for large group classes or meetings, video does not make much difference, but if you want to learn/discuss with 2-3 people, seeing person’s face is helpful – especially if people do not know each other or do not know each other well. “As there are no two same faces, there are no two same opinions” – and Zoom helps you see it immediately and naturally. Some psychologists say seeing your own face in Zoom is confusing for the brain, so experiment with looking only at the other person rather than gallery.

    Still, I urge you to get accounting or legal advice on how to make your payment. I do not believe your learning will get the brocha otherwise… Presumably, if the chevrusa can qualify as an independent contractor (controlling their effort, time) or as a charity recipient, then you would not owe taxes, and his will be low. Do not rely on my opinion, of course, even if you pay me $5/hour …

    in reply to: Kayin builds a city #2012271

    Ramban refers to Koheleth Rabbah 6:3. that Cain lived many years and that he died in the flood.

    in reply to: Classics and Beyond Bereishis 3— The Slippery Slope of Sin #2012009

    To support the original post here, every person – Adam, Chava, Kayin – are punished not right after the son, but after a discussion. That is, something in each discussion – denial, shifting blame – is the immediate reason for the punishment. Kayin could have learned from the parents.

    in reply to: Where can I post to hire a night seder Zoom Chavrusa? #2012008

    Syag, could you clarify what you are objecting to? I pointed out that the request might be illegal if not done carefully. Are you saying that this is not an issue for the poster? Before you were accusing me of having low expectations of community standards, now you seem to do it yourself. Hope I mis-understood you.

    in reply to: Kayin builds a city #2012006

    As a farmer, Kayin was in contact with Hashem. When he lost the contact, he had to rely on human intelligence that flourishes in the cities – developing science, engineering, processing produce. He also started the tradition of donor building right naming the city for his son, hoping to keep his memory eternal (paraphrasing R Elie Munk). Note that he tried to defend himself claiming that he did not know the other guy would die from the blow. As the defense did not work, he realized that not knowing science is not an excuse (my addition). Note that he started science education without ethical component (from a drasha, not sure of the source).

    in reply to: What do women do in Gan Eden? #2011999

    > How’s the shidduch crisis solved in yemos hamashiach?

    Eliahu personally checks resumes for puffery

    in reply to: Real data: mortality of vaccinated vs non vaxed #2011980

    Israelis report that for 60+ year olds, 2 shots _currently_ (that is about 8 months later) have 5x serious illness decrease comparing with non-vaxed, and a recent booster adds another 12x for a total 60x. T

    in reply to: Where can I post to hire a night seder Zoom Chavrusa? #2011978

    practical suggestion – move your time so that you can hire someone in Israel.

    in reply to: Where can I post to hire a night seder Zoom Chavrusa? #2011977

    > In some places it’s the going rate.

    I am just trying to be helpful and warn the person to avoid violating labor laws. IL is also above it. Maybe FL qualifies – $10/hour. Also, Ohio among states with some learning population.

    It seems to depend on the state laws, whether a chevrusa will be an independent contractor (exempt from min wage and payroll taxes) or a hired worker. Sounds like if you select time, manner of learning, and a masechet – maybe he will be a worker … Maybe lawyers here will help.

    in reply to: Trump vs. Biden #2011954

    CtLawyer: re:Solidarity
    with all respect to your Father and with understanding of his feelings, Solidarity led to 1+ mln of Soviet Jews getting freed. If you look back at history, Jews generally supported Polish anti-Russian feelings during Napoleon times and later rebellions, whatever Polish-Jewish relations were. Chabad Alter Rebbe was seemingly an only one supporting the Czar out of negative attitudes towards modernity and also realistic understanding that French will come and leave, while Jews will still be under Russia. (He did not live to see his political hunch coming true, as he died while running away from Napoleon).

    in reply to: Where can I post to hire a night seder Zoom Chavrusa? #2011952

    this is below minimal wage in NY,NJ, and many other states

    in reply to: Trump vs. Biden #2011955

    Ctlawyer, what I mean is that Biden’s overall popularity among independents fell from 61% in January to 37% in September. It is overall view of his inability to do anything at all. On Afghanistan, professional views differ on whether it was wise or not to stay or go, but they are united viewing execution as total failure, combined with lame attempts to blame everyone else. Now, still, veteran groups are working phones on their own trying to get their Afghan colleagues at least hidden for a time, with no immediate hope of getting them out.

    On a related topic of achievements. WSJ today preforms insightful analysis of hospital pricing data on COVID treatments. They mention, inter alia, that this analysis was made possible due to “recent” federal regulations that forced hospitals to post the data. No mention that these were Trump’s regulations. Not one of 100 commenters recalls that. With such human memories and media air cover, Biden has hopes that in 12 months, nobody will remember about Afghanistan or inability to vaccinate population…

    in reply to: chinuch and discipline nowadays #2011814

    > i understand the rambam. but i think here specifically its not applicable

    ok, Mod-29 may be right, I give up…If it is not a troll, Rav Dr Twerski recommends Nefesh Organization 201-384-0084 to find a frum psychologists who can help look at the issues without personal bias.

    in reply to: What is the inyan of daf yomi #2011811

    These were indeed the arguments against af Yoim when R Shapiro proposed it – that now any ignoramus can say that they finished Shas.

    First, you don’t have to say that you finished Shas. It is up to you. Second, I view this a modern variation of R Salanter answering someone who said he has just one hour a day – should he do Gemorah or Mussar. He said – mussar, and then you’ll find out you can find more time for Gemorah.

    A simple way to expand is to mark up an interesting sugya during the class, and then expand on that topic separately.

    in reply to: What do women do in Gan Eden? #2011809

    RebE> If a husband marries a sister of the first wife after her death

    As mentioned above, what about gilgulim, or plain Yiden before Rabeinu Gershom, Sephardim, Yaakov, David? Will Shlomo get only his Jewish wives back?

    Anyway, I will take seriously all these speculations when I see that we can figure out some simple things first like whether to bother putting a mask during pandemic. Or whether two medicines are the same molecule or not.

    in reply to: Trump vs. Biden #2011808

    Ctlawyer, while you were – understandably – busy with your health, about half of the country (not exaggeration for independents) changed their opinion of Mr. Biden. Google photos of Afghanis falling off planes in Kabul, you should be able to see that horror now.

    in reply to: chinuch and discipline nowadays #2011753

    eishis > i dont sit the entire day punishing, i only do it when i have no other choice

    could you do a count in your head for the last 24 hours: how many times you interacted positively and negatively with kids?

    in reply to: chinuch and discipline nowadays #2011754

    ujm, do you have any halakhot or evidence how often would, say, Chofetz Chaim or R Feinstein hit or insult their students to fulfil their obligations as you quoted? Was it daily/weekly/annually? Maybe they were not invloved with tinokot directly, how did they advise people who asked them?

    in reply to: chinuch and discipline nowadays #2011752

    > it doesnt make sense to suddenly from being a {control freak dictating monster and} controling mother to a helpless mother who will just be mafkir her kids,

    It does make sense to Rambam Hilhos Deos 2:2
    אִם הָיָה רָחוֹק לַקָּצֶה הָאֶחָד יַרְחִיק עַצְמוֹ לַקָּצֶה הַשֵּׁנִי וְיִנְהֹג בּוֹ זְמַן רַב עַד שֶׁיַּחֲזֹר בּוֹ לַדֶּרֶךְ הַטּוֹבָה וְהִיא מִדָּה בֵּינוֹנִית שֶׁבְּכָל דֵּעָה וְדֵעָה

    A person who swayed in the direction of one of the extremes should move in the direction of the opposite extreme, and accustom himself to that for a long time, until he has returned to the proper path, which is the midpoint for each and every temperament.

    in reply to: chinuch and discipline nowadays #2011404

    eishis, yes, my (non-professional) suggestion would be to NOT punish them unless they literally run in front of a zooming truck. Even then, you can simply stop them from running, ask the truck to stop, or take them to play to a safer place to begin with.

    An old Jewish book, whose author I can’t remember, lists multiple suggestions how to deal with anger. Among them, for parents – use positive attitude to deal with problem: instead of punishing for bad behavior, reward them for good behavior, or just for lack of bad one. Create competition between kids to encourage learning.

    Try this for a month, if you are afraid that long-term lack of punishment will damage them. Write down how many times you give a reward or punishment daily to remind yourself to be increasing rewards and decreasing punishments, as it is very easy to go to a default behavior.

    in reply to: Please explain Ivermectin #2011383

    for those who are looking for medicines, the good news that there are a number of promising candidates now that already showed some promise in trials. Quoting from a newspaper article – , molnupiravir, Favipiravir, PF-07321332, Synairgen, Budesonide, Dexamethasone, Remdesivir, plasma.

    in reply to: Real data: mortality of vaccinated vs non vaxed #2011381

    votekosher> released a pivotal study showing fully vaccinated people can spread the delta variant as readily as non-vaccinated people

    I am curious – could you please explain what caused you to quote a study about one particular case in Provincetown and make it sound like this is generally true?

    We are here trying to reason together. Why try to confuse us? Is it sloppy language? Is it that you copied this language from somewhere else? Or did you mis-understand the study? Trying to understand your motivation better.

    in reply to: Approach to Covid-19 #2011380

    > Can anyone support that so i dont feel like i just had 2 months of lockdown for absolutely no purpose?

    AU has 40 deaths per million for the whole pandemic, US and UK almost 2,000. With 25 mln population, your country saved 50,000 people. Hazak ubaruch.

    in reply to: Hagbah Fails #2011379

    > of a safek if it was passul.

    so, it is a sign that it is pasul. Or maybe falling off made it a vadai. Titrahek min hasafeq.

    in reply to: Tish or Farbreng #2011378

    Whichever ends earlier and has less people per sq. foot.

    in reply to: Short & Sweet #2011377

    I recall an opposite story of, I think, Netziv who was able to point out a Russian government spy in the Volozhin yeshiva – he saw that the guy did not move when davening, while neshomah is like a ner and got to move … so, there is something about Russian secret police and staying still …

    in reply to: Short & Sweet #2011374

    Here is an Ohr Sameach version of this interesting story, thanks RebE

    Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, zatzal, one of the foremost halachic authorities of our generation, was known to stand stock still during the silent prayer. He explained that, while living in Russia, he was once arrested for teaching Torah. One form of torture he experienced during his imprisonment was being forced to stand completely still facing a wall. The threat was that if he were to move he would be shot. It was on one of these occasions that Rabbi Feinstein was struck with the realization that if he could stand with such intense concentration for the sake of his captors, then he should afford at least the same respect when standing in front of Hashem.

    in reply to: Australia #2011373

    Ujm, yes, Jews are ozim among nations, but it works out well only if we channel it through Torah (Beitza 25). We can claim superiority of our tradition over a reasonably government advice only if we seriously and fully deploy the wisdom of our tradition. In this case, you are mis-using merits of kedoshim who fought Syrians and Soviets to make a cheap shot.

    in reply to: Resilience Without Intolerance #2011371

    Syag > That’s not educating, that’s indoctrination.

    I was responding to previous suggestions that kids learn only their way is right at school and learn the rest after. Your point is well taken. I was able to send kids to an elementary school that was sufficiently good at not fully disrespecting others. But I think parental example is even more important than school. I regularly take kids to different types of events or quote different sources. When I was younger, I would quote Misnagdim to Chasidim and Chasidim to Misnagdim 🙂

    in reply to: Short Skirts #2011369

    Avira, see a sample below, I may be already over of copyroght. just google or duck-duck-go Rabbi Avraham Edelstein Laws of Outreach! Male – Female Interactions. I do not know the source. It is NLE, Ner LeElef organization.

    :)ז ללכ ףוק תכרעמ ג קלח( דמח ידש לע ל”זר תשרד עודי רבכו םידי יתבב וידי ףוטעי םא ליעוי אל הזלו ףכ לא ףכ תעיקתב רמוחו לק אדיפק שי די קושינ לע םאו” .”ןלציל אנמחר ןודבא דע אוה שא ףכ לא ףכ עקותב רמוחו לק תועמ הצרמב ורמא םאו םנהיג לש הנידמ הקני אל דיל די קוספ :)בכ ןמיס םיטפשמ תשרפ( יח ףסוי דוע השאה וא תיבה לעב ףכב חרואה זוחאי ובוהאו וריבח תיבל חרוא אובישכ אפוריא ישנא גהנמב יתבתכ לאיצבקמ ןטקה ירפסבו” השעי יתלבל רהזיל ךירצ םימש ארי יאדוד םולשה תביח תוא אוה הזו הקזח הזיחא הזב הז םפכב וזחאיו ךפיהל ןכו תיבה תלעב .”הריתי הביח הזב תורוהל קזוחב םפכב םתזיחא היהת ךכלד הביח ךרדכ דיב די תעיגנו הזיחא אוהד ןויכ תאז :)ץרתת ןמיס( םידיסח רפס .”תוירע יולגל גייס דגבב תפטועמ דיהש יפ לע ףא ידוהי שיא ףכב תירכנה אלו תירכנה ףכב ידוהי עקתי אל” :)א תוא ץרתת ןמיס םידיסח רפס( דסחה רוקמ םשב םילעב די תחת ודי חינמ ןהכ ה”ד אס תוחנמ תופסות ןייע דגבב תפטועמ דיהשכ אנווג יאה יכב ירשד הארנ תידוהיל ידוהיו” .”םש תוחנמב בותכש ומכ ךרוצל אלא וניא הז רתיהו ימלשוריה :)בכ ןמיס םיטפשמ תשרפ( יח ףסוי דוע גהונ היהש וב ונרבידש םיפכ תזיחאב םישועה םולשה לע רבדמ דיסחה יאדובו .ל”כע ‘וכו אתיא ירתת ןמיס םידיסח רפסב הנהו” םתואב םירכנה סומינו גהנמ אוה הזד ןויכ אמית אלד אתוברל תידוהי ףכב ירכנו תירכנ ףכב ידוהי טיקנד אהו אפוריא ירעב ונמזב םויב לענמ שובלל וריתי רשאכ הזה גהנמכ תושעל ול ןיריתמ ןכלו וב וצצולתי םגהנמכ תושעלמ ענמנ ידוהיה היהי םא תומוקמה לבא תירכנה םע ידוהיב םג הזב ריהזהל דיסחה אב ןכל וצצולתיו םירכנה וגיעלי אלש ידכ םייוגה תובוחרב ךלהמ אוהשכ םוצה .”רוסאד אטישפ תידוהי םע ידוהי :)אצתת דומע ב קלח( קלאפ והילא חספ ברהמ הרות לש השובל רפס אלש ץלמומ אהי אל ואל בויח רתויה לכל יוהד הירכנו ידוהי ןיב תושעל אלש ץלמומש המד וירבדכ רמול הומת יתעד תוינעלו” קלחל שיש םירבד ינש וירבדב בריק תמאבו תרכ בייח הילע אבי םאד ותשא הניאש הדנ וא שיא תשא תידוהיו ידוהי ןיב תושעל .”םינפ המכמ םהיניב 89 90 91 92 93

    in reply to: Resilience Without Intolerance #2011361

    ujm > is appropriately left to be learnt once a person is older.

    from whom? If everyone in school insists that it is their way or highway, then they’ll stay the same as adults. I am not sure though what they are learning that they are not aware of opinion diversity. If they are not learning Gemorah that is full of opinions, they may be at least learning Sh’A that is a Sephardi sefer with Ashkenazi notes.

    in reply to: chinuch and discipline nowadays #2011346

    CtLawyer > we took our core academics at a top nationally ranked local public high school

    How did it work – legally and logistically? Were you double-enrolled into a public school and obligated into their full program or they let you take some classes? If part of the reason for the Jewish school is to avoid undue influences, how did that work? was your contact to public school classmates limited in some way?

    I am comparing with my own interests in giving kids access to general online education combined with Jewish schooling. The first part works in general, but I can’t find Jewish schools interested in giving kids such options that loosen their controls. Similarly, most public resources are made available as all or nothing. I’ve read about a couple of places whether such approach was tried – a yeshiva in LA, a BY in Colorado.

    in reply to: chinuch and discipline nowadays #2011345

    Eishes, > i am not against petch, but i am against my mothers petch and discipline

    Rambam writen in Deos that one should bend the other way trying to fix a middah. When you are affected by a bad middah, it is natural to you to try just to “decrease’ it without fully feeling the wrong of this approach. As you are already aware of the problems you had, it is imperative to you to err the other way towards chesed.

    quoting from R Twersky on a topic of one abusive parent:
    proper discipline is NOT abusive (his capitalization).. Ramabam (Hil Ishus 16) husband and wife must address each other respectfully. A person who violates this halakha cannot eb considered frum any more than .. any other halakhah. .. Abusive behavior of any kind – verbal, emotional, physical, .. shold be nipped in the bud… promptly seek counseling on how to .. arrestiit and prevent from progressing

    in reply to: Black and White #2011342

    There are several questions here:
    1) what is appropriate for Talmid chacham to wear

    2) who and when can dress as Talmid Chacham
    I think we are very meikel in last generations by historical standards, whether for a good reason or not.

    3) some definitions as “dignified”,”clean”,”average” are affected by surrounding society

    4) some things are forced on us.
    For example, Jews in Muslim lands were supposed to wear black/dark colors not to be confused with Muslims, and size of the turban was limited.

    5) something becomes a tradition and stays that way
    apparently, some Sephardi communities re-interpreted forced black colors as mourning for Beit hamikdash
    Hasidic dress is dignified Polish dress of 18th century, was re-interpreted as “distinct” dress

    in reply to: Short Skirts #2011335

    Ujm my source, as far as I can recall, was reliable but secondary, and I am not able to find the source right now. I was almost ready to agree with your claim, but see my other posts with quotes from Laws of Outreach sefer. Chazon Ish was strict on handshakes, but more lenient on Brochos. So, I’ll stand by my recollection of the story.

    Also, see those quotes for multitudes of subtle psychological considerations and opinions on these issues – will the person be offended? is handshake cold/warm/hot potato(e)?

    One more thought here: given variety of opinions, there is a greater danger here to use your bias to be either meikel or machmir and justify your own thinking by finding appropriate quotes. Just in an example above, one person might (incorrectly) learn that he’s following Chazon Ish by shaking hands, learning it from Kiddush, or similarly (incorrectly) conclude from not shaking hands to not making Kiddush.

    in reply to: Australia #2011338

    > Why can’t frum people follow rules?

    this is an oxymoron according to some poskim.

    in reply to: Short Skirts #2011331

    extended quotes from Rabbi Avraham Edelstein Laws of Outreach Male-Female interactions, 2019

    Tosafos Yom Tov, who writes in the Lechem Chamudos [perek 3] that in each locale the local practice determines what is considered sufficient attire.

    Some Acharonim interpret the words of the Lechem Chamudos literally and that the determination of which parts of the body need to be covered is subjective.23 However, others understand that the Lechem Chamudos is merely ruling that the status of the forearm is determined by local custom, but matters of sanctity cannot be said before exposed upper arms and thighs

    Mishnah Berurah writes that even in a society in which married women regularly go out with their hair exposed, men may not utter matters of sanctity before such women. This is because her hair is inherently considered by Chazal to be something personal and intimate…However, a number of Acharonim contend that in such a society, when there is a need, it is permissible for matters of sanctity to be expressed in the presence of a married woman whose hair is uncovered.T hese poskim understand that a woman’s hair is not intrinsically an intimate part of her body. Rather, the reason that a man may not recite Shema in the presence of a woman whose hair is exposed is so that the sight should not cause him to have illicit thoughts. Hence, in a society in which many women expose their hair, the sight of such hair will not induce illicit thoughts. Therefore, matters of sanctity can be said there. This is the view of the S’ridei Eish,31 the Ben Ish Chai,32 the Aruch HaShulchan,33 Rav Moshe Feinstein,34 and Rav Ovadia Yosef.35

    T here appears to be a contradiction in the writings of the Chazon Ish regarding this matter. On one hand, the Chazon Ish writes unequivocally that the fact that many women go out without covering their hair does not justify saying words of sanctity in their presence.36 On the other hand, the Chazon Ish permitted giving a Chazal-based mussar lesson to an audience that includes women whose hair is uncovered if the speaker does not focus his attention on it.37 Rav Pesach Eliyahu Falk explained that the Chazon Ish maintained that it was forbidden for a man to say words of Torah before married women whose hair was exposed. However, for the important need for kiruv, it is proper to say matters of sanctity there.38

    However, the Chazon Ish maintains a more lenient position. He holds that closing one’s eyes or turning away is even permitted l’chatchilah.42 In fact, the Chazon Ish held that a man is permitted to say matters of sanctity with his eyes open, even if he can see the problematic area with peripheral vision — as long as he does not perceive that which he is seeing.43 However, according to the stringent view of the Mishnah Berurah, ideally the only solution is for the man to turn his entire body away so that he is facing in a different direction.

    It is said that when the Chasam Sofer needed to utter sacred matters in the presence of a woman who was not properly dressed, he donned glasses and shut his eyes.

    In 1970, Rav Ovadia Yosef was awarded the prestigious Israel Prize by then prime minister Golda Meir. When Mrs. Meir extended her hand in congratulations, Rav Yosef did not respond, causing international condemnation for his refusal to shake a woman’s hand.

    T he Shach rules that even if we are stringent like Rambam, physical contact that is not sensuous, such as when a male physician examines a female patient, is not prohibited by the Torah.73 Some other Acharonim argue that there is a Torah prohibition, even in this case.74 But, the later poskim follow the position of the Shach.75 Some authorities understand the ruling of the Shach to mean that there is still a rabbinic injunction — except in cases of danger to life.76 But, the mainstream view is that physical contact is permissible when there it is no sensuous pleasure elicited.77

    . A formal handshake is not usually an expression of affection. Consequently, there is room to argue that such handshakes should be permitted in halachah. This was indeed the perspective of traditional German Jews. In fact, Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch used to extend his hand in greeting to women.79 Other rabbanim would only accept the hand of a woman who extend

    Rav Isser Yehuda Unterman (1886–1976), the late Chief Rabbi of Israel, was once asked why he was lenient in shaking the hand of a woman who greeted him. He replied, “I am not being lenient about touching [women]; I am stringent about respecting humanity.”83 Similarly, Rav Chaim Berlin (1832–1912), wrote that if a non-Jewish woman extends her hand in greeting, a man should shake her hand as the Torah wants us to convey a demeanor of amicable respectability.84

    Rav Yaakov Yitzchak Ruderman said in the name of Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzinski that the Rabbanei Ashkenaz were matir formal handshaking. Likewise, this was the position of Rav Shimon Schwab.

    In three responsa, Rav Moshe Feinstein wrote that the view that permits such handshakes should not be relied on since there is a concern that the handshake will be affectionate.86 Rav Menashe Klein also adopts a stringent approach out of concern that although a handshake may be begin as a cold formality, it can evolve into an affectionate expression.87 The Chazon Ish considered such physical contact to be one of the crimes for which a person should give up his life rather than transgress.88

    Steipler Gaon was of the opinion that even if the only recourse is to embarrass the person extending his/her hand, there is no justification for a man and woman to shake hands.

    Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky very cautiously suggested that a man might be able to be lenient to shake an outstretched hand if failure to do so will cause a social disgrace

    Rav Moshe Sternbuch proposed that perhaps the Chazon Ish was so strict over the issue of handshaking because he was referring to a warm and affectionate handshake as opposed to a cold formality.99 Rav Sternbuch wrote that in the event that failure to accept a handshake would generate an interpersonal crisis, one should seek rabbinical guidance.100

    Rav Yitzchak Hutner’s guidance was to accept a woman’s outstretched hand “like a hot potato” in order to avoid embarrassing her.102 Even though Rav Moshe Feinstein published three responsa that would forbid handshakes in all cases, orally he instructed people differently. Many rabbanim have reported that Rav Feinstein instructed people that under extenuating circumstances, they could be lenient.

    It is clear from the above that the local circumstances in which interactions between males and females take place play an important role in determining the halachic conclusions. The location, the degree of sensitivity of the participants (are they used to mixed events or not), and the nature of the event (is it one of levity or not) are all-important variables. Thus, the K’sav Sofer writes that we are not strict to maintain strict separation of the genders at a wedding ceremony because it is a controlled, serious situation, and not one of levity.1

    Rav Feinstein made it clear that ideally, boys and girls should be separated at an early age, but not at the expense of closing down the school or of having to send the girls to a public school.

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