Listening to Women Sing: Difference between revisions

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==Kol Isha Overview==
==Kol Isha Overview==
# 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.  <Ref>This is brought down in S"A E”H 75:3 </ref>
# 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.  <Ref>This is brought down in S"A E”H 75:3 </ref>
# This prohibition applies at all times and not just when one is reading Shema. <ref>S”A E”H 21:2 </ref>
# The general consensus among the halachic authorities is that it is an issur d'rabanan to listen to a woman's voice. <Ref>Mishna Berura (17), Shu"t Yabia Omer O"C 1:6:10 </ref>
# Therefore, one is not allowed to listen to a woman singing, even if with no intent for personal benefit. One may listen to a woman's non-singing voice, provided that he has no intent to derive benefit from the voice. <Ref>S"A 75:3, E"H 21:1, the last clause is mentioned in the Mishna Berura (18). Hacham 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> 
 
This prohibition applies at all times and not just when one is reading Shema. <ref>S”A E”H 21:2 </ref>
# This halacha should be approached with reverence. <Ref>Sh”t Yabea Omer 1:6 </ref>
# This halacha should be approached with reverence. <Ref>Sh”t Yabea Omer 1:6 </ref>
# Many authorities are lenient when two women sing together because two voices can’t be heard simultaneously. <Ref>Sh”t Seriedei Esh 2:8 </ref>
# Many authorities are lenient when two women sing together because two voices can’t be heard simultaneously. <Ref>Sh”t Seriedei Esh 2:8 </ref>

Revision as of 16:29, 25 November 2011

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. The general consensus among the halachic authorities is that it is an issur d'rabanan to listen to a woman's voice. [2]
  3. Therefore, one is not allowed to listen to a woman singing, even if with no intent for personal benefit. One may listen to a woman's non-singing voice, provided that he has no intent to derive benefit from the voice. [3]

This prohibition applies at all times and not just when one is reading Shema. [4]

  1. This halacha should be approached with reverence. [5]
  2. Many authorities are lenient when two women sing together because two voices can’t be heard simultaneously. [6]
  3. Some are lenient if one doesn’t know what the women looks like. [7] while others are strict. [8]
  4. Some are lenient if one is careful not to focus on the women’s voice. [9]

References

  1. This is brought down in S"A E”H 75:3
  2. Mishna Berura (17), Shu"t Yabia Omer O"C 1:6:10
  3. S"A 75:3, E"H 21:1, the last clause is mentioned in the Mishna Berura (18). Hacham 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.
  4. S”A E”H 21:2
  5. Sh”t Yabea Omer 1:6
  6. Sh”t Seriedei Esh 2:8
  7. Sh”t Maharam Shik E”H 53
  8. Sh”t Chelkat Yacov 1:163
  9. Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 5:2