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 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 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>
# 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>   
# 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 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>
# Some authorities are lenient when two women sing together because two voices can’t be heard simultaneously. <Ref>Sh”t Seriedei Esh 2:8 </ref>
# Some are lenient if one doesn’t know what the women looks like. <Ref> Sh”t Maharam Shik E”H 53 </ref> while others are strict. <Ref> Sh”t Chelkat Yacov 1:163 </ref>
# Some are lenient if one doesn’t know what the women looks like. <Ref> Sh”t Maharam Shik E”H 53 </ref> while others are strict. <Ref> Sh”t Chelkat Yacov 1:163 </ref>
# Some are lenient if one is careful not to focus on the women’s voice. <Ref>Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 5:2 </ref>
# Some are lenient if one is careful not to focus on the women’s voice. <Ref>Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 5:2 </ref>
# Some are lenient to allow listening to a woman's voice on a tape or radio if one doesn't know what the singer looks like (Even if one doesn't see her when one is listening), and some are even lenient when one does know what she looks like. <Ref>Yalkut Yosef (Otzer Dinim LeIsha pg 386), Halichot Olam (vol 1, pg 124)</ref>
==References==
==References==
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Revision as of 14:59, 4 January 2012

Kol Isha Overview

  1. The Gemara (Brachot 24a) explains that the voice of a 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] The general consensus among the halachic authorities is that it is an issur d'rabanan to listen to a woman's voice. [2]
  2. 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]
  3. This prohibition applies at all times and not just when one is reading Shema. [4]
  4. This halacha should be approached with reverence. [5]
  5. Some authorities are lenient when two women sing together because two voices can’t be heard simultaneously. [6]
  6. Some are lenient if one doesn’t know what the women looks like. [7] while others are strict. [8]
  7. Some are lenient if one is careful not to focus on the women’s voice. [9]
  8. Some are lenient to allow listening to a woman's voice on a tape or radio if one doesn't know what the singer looks like (Even if one doesn't see her when one is listening), and some are even lenient when one does know what she looks like. [10]

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
  10. ↑ Yalkut Yosef (Otzer Dinim LeIsha pg 386), Halichot Olam (vol 1, pg 124)
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