Q. Re- question 3176 above. If I use a virtual office of the new Gather Town technology, with holographic Avatars that really resembles the person it represents and it shakes hands with a customer in a business deal will that become a kinyan as when done in the real world? Can you shake hands virtually virtually with a woman?
A. See answer above. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it would become a kinyan since it is not different from an electronic signature placed on a computer document which is only virtual and also binding in Halocho.
The Rov maintains that there would be no issur negia or prohibited touching of an Erva or prohibited woman on a virtual setting. Yet, as mentioned above, if it causes proscribed thoughts it would be prohibited.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
Important Numbers
