Q. If a person is in a yichud situation, (being in the same room with a woman), may he text his friend where he is and tell the friend (who is a few blocks away) to feel free to come over at any time and ring the bell? Will that solve the issue? (Such as where the door cannot be left open due to the weather, or the lady doesn't let, and one is not interested in fighting with her, or if they are not expecting anyone to come in). Does the lady (not sure of her religion) have to know that I texted him?
A. Asking a friend that is close by, to call on you is certainly beneficial, when he can have actual access at his will. See question 1688 where we wrote; "The home door should be left unlocked or the meeting should take place in a room with an uncovered window facing the street. If the husband is out of town, a neighbor should be asked to check on the home. “
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a has advised on similar situations to take your cell phone with you and leave it with the camera on facing you, while a friend is checking on you.
However if the yichud situation is constant and ongoing, as when he is staying or renting a room in her home, the Halacha may be different. See question 974 regarding a two bedroom apartment, if a man and a woman renting an apartment together can share the bathroom and kitchen while each lives in a separate private room with locks on door, we wrote: "Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that sharing an apartment in the particular setting you describe is not a good idea as it can easily lead to the yichud prohibition of seclusion and then to promiscuity, even if more people reside in the co-ed flat."
In question # 346 in this forum, Horav Miller recommended adding a security camera for office employees and in question # 828 for an elderly patient left alone with the female care-giver to avoid yichud.
We there mentioned that Horav Nissim Karelitz Shlit”a (quoted in Moriah-Elul 5771 p.146) maintains that security cameras are to be regarded as an open door to the street in regards to the yichud prohibition, which the Noda Beyihuda (E.H. 71) permits. He mentions that they do not have to be scrutinized on real time, as long as there is a possibility that the tape (or digital recording) could later be seen, and it is an effective deterrent.
We also quoted the Minchas Ish (p. 267) who permits yichud inside the safe deposit-box room in banks, due to the presence of security cameras. See also Nitey Gavriel (Yihud 45: 8 – p 283).
However, in the setting you describe even with installed security cameras, Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a strongly recommends to be stringent. This is due to the close familiarity and intimacy created by the daily mutual sharing of the unit’s facilities for an extended period of time.”
(See also questions 346, 408. 974).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
Important Numbers
