עברית
Halachot and Customs
Is a Man Allowed to Pass Between Two Women?
Question
Is it permitted for a man to pass between two women? Is this a strict prohibition or a halachic concern? Does the ruling differ if the women are secular? Thank you very much.
Answer
Greetings,
1. It is proper for a man to be careful not to walk between two women, and people should be cautious that a woman does not pass between two men (see Masechet Pesachim 111a, and Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 3:8). This caution is because carelessness in this matter interferes with the understanding of Torah study (Masechet Horayot 13b, and Rashi there).
2. This measure of caution applies even to secular women (see Shmirat Haguf VHanefesh Part A, Siman 111:9). 3. The concern applies specifically when there is less than four amot (approximately 1.92 meters) between the two women or between two men. However, if this distance is maintained, there is no concern (Ben Ish Chai, Second Year, Parashat Pinchas, 17). 4. If the man is holding the hand of another man, he may pass between two women, and vice versa (according to Ben Ish Chai there). If he cannot manage to hold another man’s hand, the advice is to hold a stick or something similar, and if that is not possible, to hold onto the edges of one’s clothing (Shmirat Haguf VHanefesh there, section 12 and note 14 citing Sefer Zikaron Tov, and more).
Blessings, Hillel Meirs
