Monday
Rosh Chodesh [Menachem] Av 5771
August 1, 2011
1) The Mishna (Pirkei Avos Perek 1:5) teaches "V'Al Tarbeh Sicha Im Ha'Isha, do not converse too much with a female"
It is prohibited for a male to have unnecessary conversation and idle or lightheaded chatter with a female other than his wife, mother, daughter, grandmother or sister. (See Talmud Nedarim 20a and Sefer Chareidim Perek 47:19. See also Avos D'Rav Nosson Perek 2:2 where it seems to indicate that this is a biblical prohibition)
The reason for this is that unnecessary conversation with females ultimately leads to impure thoughts and eventually to severe sins. (Talmud Nedarim ibid. See also Midrash Rabbaj Bereishis 23:6 and Yam Shel Shlomo Kidushin 4:25)
Surely, it is forbidden for a male to gesture with his eyes, tell jokes, and join in laughter or otherwise share levity with a [forbidden] female. (Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer Siman 21)
2) The above applies equally to females that one is familiar with such as neighbors, male friends' wives, employees, salespeople etc., as well as to females that one is not familiar with.
That which is necessary to speak with them is permitted; anything extra - even a few words- is prohibited. (See Talmud Eruvin 53b)
Even if ones neighbors, co-workers , friends or others will ridicule him for minimizing his speech with females, he should pay them no credence and not be intimidated into behavior that is against the dictates of the Torah, as by standing tall and acting as a Torah-true Jew he will ultimately reap unimaginable reward in Olam Haba. (See Rama Orach Chaim Siman1:1)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers.
These Q&A are taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
Reader's Question:
Is it dangerous to fly to Israel [or anywhere else] during te 9 days? and why?
Answer:
Flying, and any other dangerous activities should be avoided in the nine days, unless being done for a Mitzvah.
The three weeks, and especially the last 9 days, is a time that many tragedies befell Klal Yisroel, and the rabbis say to avoid anything dangerous in that time period as the midas Hadin is strong then.
Unfortunately in this time of year we always hear of tragedies, car accidents with fatalities, etc. rachmana L'Tzlan. The Halacha even says to avoid court cases in this period, and not to start new business ventures.
CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmas the late Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Yaakov ben Rav Binyomin Moshe Stein Zatzal.
We will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיק וקדוש לברכה
When I go to a Jewish wedding today I'm amazed at the music that is played, this music is called 'rock'.
It has no feeling of Judaism.
Then I found a clear hint for it in the Torah in the pasuk by Avraham Aveinu: rock ein yiras Elokim bamokin hazeh - ROCK has no feeling of fear of Heaven in this place!
Rabbi Moshe Wolfson Shlita quoted in Sefer Torah Tavlin
Important Numbers
