Halachos for Sunday, 18 Shvat 5771, January 23, 2011
1) There is a debate amongst the Poskim if the prohibition of Borer exists only when removing P'soles, the unwanted item from within a mixture by itself or if the prohibition exists even when removing some of the Ochel, the desired item, along with the unwanted item.
The Mishna Berura (Siman 504:20 and in the Biur Halacha Siman 319:4 Dibur Hamaschil HaBorer) rules that anytime some of the Ochel, the desired item, is removed together with the P'soles, the unwanted item, the prohibition of Borer falls away. Most contemporary Poskim follow this ruling.
The Chazon Ish (Siman 53) maintains that even when a little bit of the Ochel is removed together with the P'soles it still is prohibited Borer.
2) When a large quantity of the Ochel is removed along with the P'soles, even the Chazon Ish will agree that it is permitted, as in this case we don't see it as the P'soles being removed from the mixture; rather we see it as the mixture itself being divided in half.
Tomorrow, B'Ezras Hashem, we will examine some common examples of the aforementioned Halacha.
Reader's Question:
What are the different opinions regarding Kol Isha, for a man to hear a group of girls singing? is this allowed? how many girls must be in the group? can the man be singing with them? Because many people say there is a heter when it's a group of girls and I would like to know where their heter comes from and if it's really valid.
Answer:
A man may not hear girls above the age of 9 (or according to some opinions as early as age 6 or as old as 11) singing.
Period.
There is no difference if it's one girl or a group.
The Shulchan Aruch, Even HaEzer Siman 21:1 states clearly that a man may not hear a woman's voice [singing], as a woman's voice is considered "Ervah".
A man may not say a Bracha or other Devorim Sh'Bekedusha while a woman is singing within earshot, even if it is his own wife or daughter.
There are certain Heterim, when a man and a woman whose voice he is allowed to hear sing zemiros together, as we say that since he is singing too he hears his own voice and doesnt hear her voice, a concept in halacha known as "Shtei koli Lo Nishmaim- two voices cannot be heard at once"
Many Poskim reject this Heter even for women to whom a man is allowed to listen to. This discussion of allowing or prohibiting a family to sing Zemiros together is beyond the scope of this email and each person should consult their own Rav. (See Halichos Shlomo Perek 20:11)
But even the Poskim that accept it, it is only for when the man is singing himself and the woman he is singing with is someone whise voice he is allowed to hear.
However, all Poskim agree that this concept of "two voices arent heard" is only when one of those voices is his own, but if he is listening to two women (who are not his wife, daughter etc.) singing it is 100% prohibited. (See Mishna Berura Siman 560:13 where he writes, based on the Talmud Sotah 48a and Rashi there dibur hamaschil K'Aish B'NeOres, that a man hearing one or more women singing is like a burning fire (i.e. Yetzer hara), which he must run away from).
These people you refer too misapply this concept of "Two voices cannot be heard", but there is no basis for it in halacha and they must stop listening to any girl above the age of 9 (or 6 or 11 ) sing, regardless if it's one girl or more.
May Hashem give them all the strength to do the right thing.
Chizuk For Today:
Sometimes all you can do is pray...to Hashem
Sometimes all you can do is trust...in Hashem
Sometimes all you can do is wait...with Hashem
Sometimes all you can do is cry...for Hashem
Sometimes all you can do is be B'Simcha...for the sake of Hashem
Sometimes all you can do is lift up your feet and dance...to plug into Hashem
Sometimes all you can do is lift up your hands and leave it to Him...our Father Hashem
Sometimes all you can do is raise your voice and sing...praise to Hashem
Sometimes all you can do is focus heavenward...Feel close to Hashem
Important Numbers
