Listening to Women Sing
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Kol Isha Overview
- 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]
- Therefore, one is not allowed to listen to a woman singing. [3] One may listen to a woman's non-singing voice. [4]
- This prohibition applies at all times and not just when one is reading Shema. [5]
- This halacha should be approached with reverence. [6]
- Some authorities are lenient when two women sing together because two voices can’t be heard simultaneously. [7]
- Some are lenient if one doesn’t know what the women looks like. [8] while others are strict. [9]
- Some are lenient if one is careful not to focus on the women’s voice. [10]
- 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. [11]
References
- ↑ This is brought down in S"A E”H 75:3
- ↑ Mishna Berura (17), Shu"t Yabia Omer O"C 1:6:10
- ↑ S"A O"C 75:3, E"H 21:1
- ↑ Bet Shmuel E"H 21:4 writes that one may listen to a woman's non-singing voice. Mishna Berura 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. 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.
- ↑ S”A E”H 21:2
- ↑ Sh”t Yabea Omer 1:6
- ↑ Sh”t Seriedei Esh 2:8
- ↑ Sh”t Maharam Shik E”H 53
- ↑ Sh”t Chelkat Yacov 1:163
- ↑ Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 5:2
- ↑ Yalkut Yosef (Otzer Dinim LeIsha pg 386), Halichot Olam (vol 1, pg 124)
