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Listening to Women Sing: Difference between revisions
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Sefer Eshkol (vol 3, pg 129), Maharikash 217, Nishmat Adam 4:11, Kaf HaChaim 75:27 holds that it’s a rabbinic prohibition, however, Tzel Kesef (vol 2, Maarechet [[Brachot]] 40:5) holds it’s a biblical prohibition. Sdei Chemed (Kuf, Klal 42) quotes other achronim who argue about this. | Sefer Eshkol (vol 3, pg 129), Maharikash 217, Nishmat Adam 4:11, Kaf HaChaim 75:27 holds that it’s a rabbinic prohibition, however, Tzel Kesef (vol 2, Maarechet [[Brachot]] 40:5) holds it’s a biblical prohibition. Sdei Chemed (Kuf, Klal 42) quotes other achronim who argue about this. | ||
* In conclusion, there’s a major dispute whether this is a biblical or rabbinic prohibition. Sh”t Yabia Omer 1:6(10) writes that it may be considered a rabbinic prohibition when taking into account other considerations. Mishna Brurah 75:17 quotes the Chaye Adam (same author as Nishmat Adam) and seems to agree with those who say it's a rabbinic prohibition.</ref> Therefore, one is not allowed to listen to a woman singing. <Ref>S"A O"C 75:3, E"H 21:1 </ref> | * In conclusion, there’s a major dispute whether this is a biblical or rabbinic prohibition. Sh”t Yabia Omer 1:6(10) writes that it may be considered a rabbinic prohibition when taking into account other considerations. Mishna Brurah 75:17 quotes the Chaye Adam (same author as Nishmat Adam) and seems to agree with those who say it's a rabbinic prohibition.</ref> Therefore, one is not allowed to listen to a woman singing. <Ref>S"A O"C 75:3, E"H 21:1 </ref> | ||
# This prohibition applies at all times and not just when one is reading Shema. <ref>S”A E”H 21:2 </ref> | # This prohibition applies at all times and not just when one is reading Shema. <ref>S”A E”H 21:2 </ref> | ||
# Some authorities are lenient when two women sing together because two voices can’t be heard simultaneously. <Ref>Sh”t Sridei Esh 2:8 </ref> | # Some authorities are lenient when two women sing together because two voices can’t be heard simultaneously. <Ref>Sh”t Sridei Esh 2:8 </ref> | ||
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* Sh”t Yabia Omer 1:4(1) writes that perhaps if one doesn’t see the woman singing it’s not an issue based on the Gemara Sanhedrin 45 which says that a man’s thoughts are only aroused when seeing a woman. He continues that even if one doesn’t see her but one recognizes her it’s certainly forbidden based on the Gemara [[Megillah]] 15 which says that men would have improper thoughts by simply saying Rachav’s name because they once recognized her. He supports this point by quoting Gemara Avoda Zara 20b which says that one may not look at the nice clothing of a woman even when she’s not wearing them because they may arouse thoughts and that’s only when one recognizes her. See Sh”t Maharam Shik E”H 53 who is also lenient if one doesn’t know what the women looks like, whereas the Sh”t Chelkat Yacov 1:163 is strict. | * Sh”t Yabia Omer 1:4(1) writes that perhaps if one doesn’t see the woman singing it’s not an issue based on the Gemara Sanhedrin 45 which says that a man’s thoughts are only aroused when seeing a woman. He continues that even if one doesn’t see her but one recognizes her it’s certainly forbidden based on the Gemara [[Megillah]] 15 which says that men would have improper thoughts by simply saying Rachav’s name because they once recognized her. He supports this point by quoting Gemara Avoda Zara 20b which says that one may not look at the nice clothing of a woman even when she’s not wearing them because they may arouse thoughts and that’s only when one recognizes her. See Sh”t Maharam Shik E”H 53 who is also lenient if one doesn’t know what the women looks like, whereas the Sh”t Chelkat Yacov 1:163 is strict. | ||
* Sh”t Yabia Omer 1:6(13) concludes that if one recognizes a woman even by having seen her picture it’s forbidden to listen to her voice on a tape or radio, however, if one doesn’t recognize her it’s permitted to listen to her voice on a tape or radio. See Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 5:2 and Sh”t Maharshag 2:118 are lenient with regards to the radio, whereas the Sh"t Mishna Halachot 4:86 is strict about this. </ref> Of course, this is only when the song isn't a sexual or inappropriate song. <Ref>Yalkut Yosef (Tefilah Pesukei DeZimra pg 673) </ref> | * Sh”t Yabia Omer 1:6(13) concludes that if one recognizes a woman even by having seen her picture it’s forbidden to listen to her voice on a tape or radio, however, if one doesn’t recognize her it’s permitted to listen to her voice on a tape or radio. See Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 5:2 and Sh”t Maharshag 2:118 are lenient with regards to the radio, whereas the Sh"t Mishna Halachot 4:86 is strict about this. </ref> Of course, this is only when the song isn't a sexual or inappropriate song. <Ref>Yalkut Yosef (Tefilah Pesukei DeZimra pg 673) </ref> | ||
==Non-Singing Voice== | |||
# One may listen to a woman's non-singing voice. <ref>Bet Shmuel E"H 21:4 writes that one may listen to a woman's non-singing voice. Mishna Brurah 75:18 writes that one may not have intent to get benefit from a woman's voice even if one is regular to hear that voice. Chacham Ovadia Yosef in Yabia Omer (O"C 1:6:11) extends the prohibition even in cases where one is used to hearing a woman's voice. </ref> | |||
# There is a discussion in the poskim if it is permissible to listen to a woman speak in public. <ref> * Sh"t Shevet halevi 3:14 forbids it, arguing that the a speaking voice should be permitted, a public speaking voice is very different and potentially more stimulating. * Sh"t Iggerot Moshe OC 5:13 is lenient as those as it isn't giving in a shul and the woman is sitting. * Lehorot Natan 1:60 also permitted a women to speak in front of men as the prohibition of kol isha is only if a mans enjoys the sound of her voice but not if he is focused on the content. </ref> | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
