Is it permissible for a man to wear shorts?

Greetings,

There is no issue for a man to wear shorts if it is acceptable in his area. However, one should not pray in shorts if he knows that he would not appear that way before an important person. In any case, he should not serve as a chazzan (prayer leader).

Sources: See Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim (Siman 75, Seif 5) and Mishnah Berurah (there). It is also noted in the book Halichot Shlomo, Part 1 (Chapter 2, Seif 15) that during prayer one should be careful to dress in a respectable manner as if standing before a king, as it states, "Prepare to meet your God, Israel." Therefore, even someone who usually walks around in shorts for work, such as farmers and laborers, is preferable not to pray while dressed in this manner.

Regarding what is noted in the responsa Yechave Da'at, Part 4 (end of Siman 8) that it is permissible for kibbutz members who wear shorts to pray in this manner, they should only not serve as chazzanim. This is evidently in a case where they would appear in shorts before an important person; otherwise, it would be inappropriate to pray in such a manner even if he does not serve as a chazzan.

With blessings,

Hillel Meirs