1) Chazal forbade asking a [forbidden] female [in a friendly way] how she is doing or how she is feeling as doing so will lead to her answering him and then continue into an unnecessary conversation and ultimately to a friendship between the two. (See Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer Siman 21:6)
It is likewise prohibited to send a gift to a [forbidden] female as this is akin to inquiring as to her well-being and will lead to developing a friendship. (See Mishna Berura Siman 696:20)
Giving a female money or food for her basic necessities, however, is permitted, as this isn't being done in a friendly manner rather as a fulfillment of the Mitzvah of Tzedakah. (See Mishna Berura Siman 695:27)
It is permissible to ask a female how her husband or son is doing or feeling, provided this will not lead to continued unnecessary conversation, as this inquiry is not a friendly one but a courteous one. (See Aruch Hashulchan Even HaEzer Siman 21:8)
2) Nowadays, it is permissible to bid a female "good morning" , "hello" or "Mazel Tov!" as well as other similar greetings, as these are common courteous greetings even between two males and do not necessarily have any connotations of friendliness or closeness. (See Rama Even HaEzer Siman 21:5, Kraina D'Igrasa from the Steipler Zatzal letter 164 and Aruch HaShulchan ibid. See also Shu"t Shevet Haleivi Vol. 5 Siman 195. See Shu"t Minchas Yitzchok Vol. 8 Siman126 where he rules a bit more stringently)
The above holds true even if the female responds in kind with "good morning to you too "or "Thank you, Simchos by you as well" or similar as the prohibition only is in place for "chatter" that may lead to friendliness or closeness. (See Sefer Ezer M'Kodesh Even HaEzer Siman 21)
Of course, if one is intellectually honest with himself and knows that greeting any female will lead to impure thoughts, friendships or actions, he must avoid saying them at all costs.
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers.
These Q&A are taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
Reader's Question:
Is learning Torah on Erev Tisha B'Av after Chatzos permitted or prohibited?
Answer:
This is a machlokes HaPoskim.
However, all agree that if by not studying Torah on Erev Tisha B'Av after Chatzos, that time will be wasted, it is better to study Torah.
The Gr"a, MaHarshal, Chayei Adam and many other Gedolim all learned on Erev Tisha B'Av, as they held it was an unnecessary Chumra to refrain from Torah study then.
See Rama end of Siman 553, Mishna Berura S"K 8 and Aruch HaShulchan Siman 553:8. See also Shu"t Chasam Sofer Orach Chaim Siman 156 for a different approach and reasoning for the prohibition.
CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmas the late Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Yaakov ben Rav Binyomin Moshe Stein Zatzal.
We will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
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THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיק וקדוש לברכה
Last week's Torah portion begins "Eileh Masei Bnei Yisroel Asher Yatzu Mei'eretz Mitzrayim Li'tzivosam B'yad Moshe V'Aharon-these are the travelings of the Jewish people who left Egypt by their legions under the hand of Moses and Aaron."
The Tzor HaMaor explains that the recording of the travels through the harsh conditions that exist in a desert, should comfort us because just as Hashem brought the Jewish people through the desert before bringing us to Eretz Yisroel, we will go through exile before the final geulah.
So although the times we are going through today are bitter and harsh, we can gain comfort through the knowledge that this galus (exile) is only a journey on the way to redemption.
This week began the nine days before Tisha B'av, a fast day on which we mourn the loss of the Beis Hamikdash, our holy Temple, and other tragedies that occured on that date throughout Jewish history.
During these nine days the Jewish people do certain things to mourn over the loss.
We should also pray that this year we will not have to mourn on Tisha B'av, and instead it will be a holiday, celebrated in Yerushalayim Habenuyah, in the rebuilt Jerusalem.
Important Numbers
