Jewish Women's Voices In Wedding Traditions

In Orthodox Judaism, men are generally not allowed to hear women sing, a prohibition called 'kol isha'. The Talmud classifies this as 'ervah' (nakedness). The majority view of halachic authorities is that this prohibition applies at all times, and forbids a man to pray or study Torah in the presence of a woman who is singing. However, there are differing opinions on whether this prohibition applies to a recorded voice, and whether it applies to women singing in a group.

Orthodox Jewish women are forbidden from singing in front of men

In Orthodox Judaism, women are forbidden from singing in front of men. This prohibition is called "Kol B'Isha Ervah", which translates to "the voice of a woman". The Talmud classifies this as "ervah" or "nakedness", and it is considered sensual and possibly stimulating to males. The Torah values the bond between a husband and wife so highly that it does not allow for any potential damage to a man's undivided and unequivocal devotion and attraction to his partner.

This prohibition applies at all times and forbids a man from praying or studying the Torah in the presence of a singing woman. It is also extended to recorded or broadcast singing, with most orthodox circles refraining from hearing a woman's singing voice through any medium. However, there are differing opinions on this matter, with some authorities stating that a recording or radio transmission of a woman's singing voice would not be prohibited if the man does not know her personally.

There are also differing opinions on whether this prohibition applies to women singing in a group. Some argue that since no individual is calling attention to herself, the restriction does not apply. Others argue that even if multiple women are singing, men can still derive pleasure from their voices.

The prohibition of "Kol B'Isha Ervah" has had a significant impact on Orthodox Jewish women, preventing them from pursuing careers in music and performing in front of mixed audiences. However, with the rise of social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube, some women are finding ways to share their music while adhering to religious restrictions.

The Talmud classifies a woman's voice as 'ervah' (nakedness)

The Torah puts enormous value on the bond between a husband and wife and does not allow for any potential damage to a man's undivided and unequivocal devotion and attraction to his partner. Thus, a woman's singing voice is reserved for her husband's enjoyment only.

However, there are more lenient opinions and exceptions to this rule. For instance, group singing is allowed, and there are certain types of songs that men do not derive pleasure from when sung by a woman, such as zemiros (songs sung at a Shabbat meal), songs sung to children, and lamentations for the dead. Additionally, some believe that a man can hear a recorded song by a woman if he does not know what she looks like, as the Talmud states that "the yetzer hara (evil inclination) is not interested in what the eyes do not see."

While this rule may seem restrictive, it is based on the belief that if everyone walks around showing everything off all the time, there is never a chance to uncover and discover special parts of oneself at a special time with a special person.

Women singing in public

In Orthodox Judaism, women singing in public is a complex and contentious issue. While some communities take a more relaxed approach, others enforce strict rules that prohibit women from singing in front of men who are not their immediate family members. This is based on the belief that a woman's singing voice is sensual and could stimulate male listeners, potentially threatening the bond between a husband and wife, which is highly valued in Orthodox Judaism.

The prohibition, known as "kol isha", is derived from a passage in the Talmud (Berachot 24a) and codified in the Shulchan Aruch, a central text of Jewish law. However, there are differing interpretations and exceptions to this rule. Some argue that it only applies when a woman sings alone, not when she sings in a group, as it is challenging to distinguish individual voices in unison. Others maintain that the rule only applies during the recitation of the Shema Yisrael prayer.

The advent of social media and virtual performances has further complicated the matter. Platforms like Instagram have provided Orthodox Jewish women with an opportunity to share their music with female audiences exclusively. However, in more conservative communities, even these virtual performances may be frowned upon.

The issue of women singing in public extends beyond religious doctrine and into the realm of personal expression and gender equality. Some argue that prohibiting women from singing in public limits their career options and suppresses their talent. Others contend that such restrictions are necessary to maintain modesty and preserve the sanctity of the husband-wife relationship.

Ultimately, the interpretation and enforcement of the "kol isha" prohibition vary across Orthodox Jewish communities, with some adopting more liberal stances than others.

Women singing at weddings

In Orthodox Judaism, men are generally prohibited from hearing women sing. This prohibition is called 'kol isha', which translates to 'the voice of a woman'. The Talmud classifies this as 'ervah' (nakedness). The reasoning behind this is that a woman's singing voice is considered sensual and possibly stimulating to men. This is based on the passage in Shir Hashirim (Song of Songs) 2:14: 'let me hear your voice because your voice is pleasant and your appearance is comely'.

However, there are differing opinions on the extent of this prohibition. Some believe that it only applies when a woman is singing alone, not when she is singing in a group, as it is difficult to distinguish individual voices in a group. Others believe that the prohibition does not apply when a woman is singing non-sensual songs, such as lullabies or funeral dirges.

In recent years, some Orthodox Jewish women have begun sharing their music on social media platforms like Instagram, which allows them to reach a female audience. This has enabled them to pursue singing careers and share their music without violating religious laws.

Women singing in groups

In Orthodox Judaism, men are generally forbidden from hearing women sing. This prohibition is called "Kol B'Isha Ervah", which translates to "the voice of a woman". The Talmud classifies this as "ervah" (nakedness).

However, there are differing opinions on whether this prohibition applies to women singing in groups. Some believe that the prohibition does not apply when women are singing in a group, as no individual woman is calling attention to herself. Samson Raphael Hirsch and Azriel Hildesheimer are among those who hold this opinion.

On the other hand, the majority view of halachic authorities maintains that the prohibition does apply to women singing in groups. They argue that even if a man cannot make out the words being sung, he can still hear the women's voices, which is considered inappropriate and ervah.

Ultimately, the application of this rule depends on the specific community and the authorities they follow.

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