Women's Singing At Jewish Weddings: Forbidden Or Accepted?

In Orthodox Judaism, it is forbidden for men to hear women sing. This is known as 'kol isha' or 'kol b'isha erva' and is considered a halachic problem. The reason for this is that the singing voice of a woman is deemed sensual and possibly stimulating to men. However, this prohibition does not apply to women singing in a group or when playing a musical instrument. In recent years, some Orthodox women have used social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube to share their music and connect with other women in the community, challenging traditional norms.

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" and is derived from the Talmudic dictum "the woman's voice is indecent". The concern is that a woman's singing voice is considered sensual and possibly stimulating to men, which could lead to sexual thoughts and desires. This rule is based on the idea that Judaism places enormous value on the bond between a husband and wife, and aims to protect the man's undivided devotion and attraction to his wife.

The restriction applies specifically to the act of singing and not to other forms of musical expression, such as playing instruments. Men are allowed to watch women play musical instruments, but the sound of a woman's singing voice is what is prohibited. This distinction is important because it shows that the issue is not with women expressing themselves creatively, but specifically with the potential sexual implications of their singing voices.

It is worth noting that this rule only applies to men hearing women sing. Women are allowed to hear men sing, and there is no restriction on women singing in front of other women. Additionally, there are some exceptions and leniencies to the rule. For example, some authorities believe that a man can listen to a recording or radio transmission of a woman singing if he does not know her personally. Others argue that the restriction does not apply if multiple women are singing together, as it is difficult to focus on a single voice.

While this rule may seem severe or outdated to some, it is an important part of Orthodox Jewish law and is followed by many observant Jews. The recent rise of social media platforms like Instagram has also provided a new avenue for Orthodox Jewish women to share their musical talents with female audiences, without violating these religious restrictions.

Women are allowed to sing in front of other women

Women-only performances by Orthodox Jewish women have become more common with the rise of social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube. These provide a space for women to share their music and connect with other women, without violating religious restrictions.

In addition, women are permitted to play musical instruments in front of men. This is because the prohibition only applies when women sing, as the sound of their singing is considered inappropriate and "an Ervah" (something that causes sexual excitement and is, therefore, indecent or forbidden).

However, it is important to note that different communities may have different standards and interpretations of these rules. While some may allow women to sing together in front of men, others may find this unacceptable.

Women can sing in front of men if they are behind a curtain

In Orthodox Judaism, men are forbidden from hearing women sing. This is known as "kol isha", which translates to "the voice of a woman". The reasoning behind this is that a woman's singing voice is considered sensual and possibly stimulating to men. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, according to Jewish law, or halacha, it is permissible for men to listen to women singing if they are behind a curtain, as the issue is with the sound of a woman's singing voice, not the sight of her singing.

This exception is based on the Talmudic rule that "two voices cannot be heard simultaneously". The idea is that since men cannot focus on two voices at once, they will not be stimulated by the sound of a woman's singing voice if there are multiple women singing together. However, some rabbinic authorities disagree with this interpretation and maintain that a man may not listen to multiple women singing in unison, even if they are singing religious songs.

Another exception to the rule against men hearing women sing is that it is permissible for women to sing along with men. Additionally, some authorities hold that the restriction against men hearing women sing does not apply if the woman is singing in a group, as no individual woman is calling attention to herself.

It is important to note that these exceptions may not be accepted by all Jewish communities, as different communities have different standards and interpretations of halacha.

Women are allowed to play instruments in front of men

In Orthodox Jewish communities, men are forbidden from hearing women sing, as the female singing voice is considered sensual and possibly stimulating to males. However, this prohibition does not extend to women playing musical instruments. According to Jewish law, or halacha, there is no issue with men listening to non-vocal music played by a woman. The Aruch HaShulchan, a halachic authority, rules that the prohibition only applies when women sing, as the issues of creating improper thoughts and exposing private areas are not relevant to instruments.

While men are permitted to hear women play instruments, the question of whether they can watch women do so is more complex and depends on the community. Some communities may find it acceptable, while others may consider it inappropriate due to concerns about men staring at women and having sexual thoughts. This is based on the Talmudic prohibition against men walking behind women and the idea of gender segregation in certain situations.

In conclusion, while women are allowed to play instruments in front of men according to halacha, the acceptability of doing so in specific communities may vary, with some being more stringent in their interpretation of the relevant laws and traditions.

Women can sing in front of men if they are not Orthodox

Women are permitted to sing in front of men in Judaism, provided they are not part of an Orthodox community.

In Orthodox Judaism, the concept of 'kol isha', which translates to 'the voice of a woman', is taken literally. This means that men are forbidden from hearing women sing, as the female voice is considered sensual and possibly stimulating to males. This is derived from the Talmudic dictum: "the woman's voice is indecent". This has been expanded upon by Maimonides, who prohibits men from hearing women sing under any circumstance.

However, this rule does not apply to women who are singing in a group, as no individual is calling attention to herself. Additionally, several halachic (Jewish law) authorities opine that a recording or radio transmission of a woman's singing voice would not be prohibited, as it is not live.

In non-Orthodox communities, women are permitted to sing in front of men. In fact, women playing musical instruments in front of men has Biblical precedent, with several examples of this occurring in the Torah.

It is important to note that the rules regarding women singing in front of men are specific to Orthodox Judaism and may not apply to all Jewish communities.

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