Listening to Women Sing

From Halachipedia

Kol Isha Overview

  1. The Gemara (Brachot 24a) explains that the voice of a (married) woman is considered ervah, referring to that part of the body that is usually covered by women because it is sexually alluring when uncovered. [1]
  2. This prohibition applies at all times and not just when one is reading Shema. [2]
  3. This halacha should be approached with reverence. [3]
  4. Many authorities are lenient when two women sing together because two voices can’t be heard simultaneously. [4]
  5. Some are lenient if one doesn’t know what the women looks like. [5] while others are strict. [6]
  6. Some are lenient if one is careful not to focus on the women’s voice. [7]

References

  1. This is brought down in S"A E”H 75:3
  2. S”A E”H 21:2
  3. Sh”t Yabea Omer 1:6
  4. Sh”t Seriedei Esh 2:8
  5. Sh”t Maharam Shik E”H 53
  6. Sh”t Chelkat Yacov 1:163
  7. Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 5:2