1) A female that is singing in a place where males can hear her must stop. (See Mishna Berura Siman 560:13. See also Sha'ar HaTziyun Os 25 quoting the Shla Hakadosh that singing songs with impure lyrics or sources to a child will cause the child to develop bad characteristics)
This prohibition against listening to a female sing applies equally where he sees her as she sings as well as where he doesn't see her and only hears her voice. (See Shu"t Pri HaSadeh Vol. 3 Siman 32)
2) It is likewise prohibited to listen to the recorded voice of a female singing if he knows what she looks like [even if the female has already passed away from this world and even if he only knows what she looks like from a picture and has never seen her in person], as the voice will lead him to think of her and thus lead to impure thoughts. (ibid. See also Shu"t HaBach Siman 17 and Shu"t Yabia Omer Vol. 1 Siman 6)
If he does not know what she looks like, although not prohibited M'Ikar Hadin according to some contemporary Poskim, it is still proper to avoid listening to any recorded voice of a female singing as doing so will activate the Yetzer Hara and lead to impure thoughts, especially in the immoral society that we unfortunately find ourselves in currently. (See Shu"t Minchas Elazar Vol. 3 Siman 25 and Shu"t Bais Shearim Orach Chaim Siman 33 and Shu"t Tzitz Eliezer Vol. 5 Siman 2. Some Poskim rule that this is even prohibited M'Ikar Hadin. See Shu"t Shevet Halevi Even HaEzer Vol. 3 Siman 181 and Shu"t Az Nidberu Vol. 9 Siman 9)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) If the female singing is a girl below the age of puberty, it is permitted to listen to her, according to many Poskim.
Some Poskim, however, are stringent and prohibit listening to a female sing from a younger age (6, 9, or 11 depending on different rulings; a Rav should be consulted for Halacha L'Ma'aseh). (See Mishna Berura Siman 75:7 and 17 and Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 1 Siman 26. See also Be'er Heitev Even HaEzer Siman 21:4)
2) However, if he derives pleasure from hearing the young girl sing, even if she is below the age where it usually permitted, it would be prohibited for him according to all Poskim, as being that he enjoys hearing her it can lead him to have impure thoughts. (See Igros Moshe ibid.)
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:
Can one feed children meat during the 9 days [between Rosh Chodesh Av and Tisha B'Av] L'chatchila?
If yes until what age?
Answer:
Healthy Children above 7 years old should not be given meat during the nine days, according to all Poskim. All Children under the age of 3 may be given meat according to all Poskim.
Some Poskim are lenient for children between the ages of 3 and 7. Other Poskim, including the Mishna Berura (Siman 551:70), are stringent and don't allow it.
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
The following question was sent in to and answered by my dear friend, R' Eli Nasson Shlita of www.DivreiVhizuk.com
Question:
It's the 3 weeks again, Tisha b'Av is approaching and still no sign of Moshiach. The world continues on its seemingly chaotic path. It's all extremely discouraging and frustrating. Where is Moshiach?
Answer:
The real question is : How much do we want Moshiach? Are we praying for him to come as the Rambam writes in his commentary on the Mishnah, the Thirteen Articles of Faith.
We are living in a world of luxury/sheker. Do we feel that we are missing or are we so comfortable that we forget that this is Galus. How many more wake-up calls do we need to start feeling the pain of no Beis Hamikdash?
L'chvod / Dear Klal Yisroel, I am in middle of reading a wonderful book called From Dusk to Dawn (by Rabbi Zechariah Fendel, zt'l). It talks about the holocaust and the unbelievable kiddush Hashem that many showed as they were being led to their deaths and as they sang Ani Maamin, I believe with perfect faith in the coming of Moshiach and even though he should tarry, nevertheless, I will await him him every day for he will come.
Hashem knows what He is doing. In the meantime He wants us to have faith, work on ourselves to be better people, and run to Him. Understand that there is only Hashem.
Ein Od Milvado!!!!!!
Say to Hashem now:
'Please Hashem send us Mashiach take us out of this galus it has been so long.We are so lost, please Father bring us HOME'!!!!
Important Numbers
