Q. I someone has teeth gold crowns should he avoid being chosen as a Baal Tokea during Rosh Hashana?
A. On question 2863, regarding women wearing gold jewelry on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, we wrote: "Ritva (Rosh Hashana 26b) writes that a “Taalis Mezucheves” or gold decorated taalis can be worn on Yom Kippur, since it is worn on the outside of the Kodesh Hakodoshim.
Hag’ R’ A’ Eiger (O.H. 610: 4) mentions that there are locations where the minhag is not to wear gold on Yom Kippur, to avoid, “Ein kategor na’aseh saneigor,” (or the accuser cannot become the defender – Rosh Hashana 26a). However, he adds that women are not included, since they did not partake in the golden eigel.
Mateh Efraim (609: 9) writes that out of fear for the Judgment Day, women should avoid wearing on Yom Kippur the jewelry they wear on Shabbos and Yom Tov. He also mentions to avoid wearing a gold or gilded, “atara” or crown on the taalis (610: 11).
Devar Meshulam (3: 125) deals with the baal tokea wearing gold jewelry during tekias shofar, that is considered by some like being inside the Kodesh Hakodashim.
Betzel Hachochma (6: 3) rules that one that wears always a golden watch, can wear it on Yom Kippur also. However, if he only dons it on Shabbos and Yom Tov, it should be avoided during Yom Kippur. He mentions as proof, the Talmud Yuma (37a) regarding the lots used on Yom Kippur, that Yehoshua ben Gamla fashioned of gold, and the people would mention him favorably.
Likewise, Rivavos Efraim (6: 323) rules leniently in the case of a gold watch, a gold chain and similar, since they do not have any relation to kapara or redemption.
The minhag is that women don’t remove their gold wedding rings during Yom Kippur.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion, as mentioned on the prior question, is to follow the minhagim and traditions of the congregation where one davens.
Horav Slomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that even according the ones that have the minhag that the Baal Tokea does not wear anything made of gold, it is unlikely that it would include a covered gold tooth.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a
Important Numbers
