Halachot and Customs
Is It Permissible to Walk Barefoot at Home?
Question
I heard that the Ben Ish Chai wrote in his book that a person who walks barefoot in his home is placed under ban in Heaven. Is that true?
Thank you very much.
Answer
Peace to you,
The Ben Ish Chai (Year One, Parashat Vayishlach, section 18) wrote that one who keeps shoes off his feet is placed under ban by the Omnipresent. The source for this is found in Tractate Pesachim (page 113b). However, this refers to the obligation that a person should have shoes to walk in the marketplaces and streets; but a person may walk barefoot in his home (Halacha Berurah, siman 2, section 22, and Birur Halacha, note 11. This is also written in Responsa Mivseret Tziyon, part 1, Yoreh Deah, siman 3). It is also permitted for a woman to walk barefoot in her home if she is wearing a long robe (Halikhot Bat Yisrael, chapter 4, note 28, in the name of Rabbi Y. S. Elyashiv, of blessed memory).
With blessing, Hillel Meirs
