Rabbi Mendy Wolf is the author of “Shiurim Btoras Hachassidus”, a series of classes explaining the essence of belief in G-d from the perspective of Chassidus in a step-by-step fashion. He presents a popular “Discussion of the Week” lunch and learn classes in New York City and focuses on making Chassidus relevant and applicable in life.
Shaking Hand of Opposite Gender
Stump the Rabbi: Why are we careful not to shake hands with people from the opposite gender? Video
Where is the Makor of not shaking hands. You constantly say chachomim say not to shake hands. Source please?
The real answer…it’s halacha and has nothing at all to do with minhag or minhag chabad in particular, as many assume. I once heard a modern orthodox rav giving a whole shiur on this subject which was brilliant and brought down many poskim across the board who have stated that shaking the hand of the opposite gender is completely assur – even for business
I know enough “chassidishe” men who would never shake hands with a woman, but their cell phones are full of shmutz. To play these out as cause and effect is to have your head buried deeply in the sand.
Look, if that’s how Rabbi wolf thinks, at least we know Rabbi wolfs cellphone is clean! And for most of the rest of us – (secret:) Va’ani Besochom…- Halavai Beinoni… The one comforting thouhgt is that now that everyone is a Rashsa (in some sense) Moshiach can now come, as it says that Moshiach will come in a generation that is either entirely Tzadikim or… Reshoim. Moshiach now!
How does that answer the question M
Did you ever here of shomer negia? As far as I know when shaking someone’s hand you are touching them unless you are wearing a gloves
There is a teshuvah of Reb Moshe about it.
Rambam (Hilchot Issurei Biah 21:1) rules that all physical contact that is affectionate (derech chibbah) is forbidden by the Torah, while the Ramban (Sefer Hamitzvot Lo Ta’aseh 353) holds that the prohibition is of rabbinic origin. Rabbeinu Yonah (Sha’arei Teshuva 3:80) takes a stricter approach: “All physical contact is forbidden, such as touching the hand of a married woman.” According to this view, all physical contact is forbidden by Torah, whether or not it is affectionate. Within the approach of the Rambam, there is further discussion. The Shach (Yoreh Deah 157:1 and 195:20) writes that he would permit all non-affectionate… Read more »
Beautifully written!
Thanks for your clear and concise halachik explanation!
Thank you
Thanks for the well written sourced commented. You get an upvote
What’s the connection of not shaking hands to checking a spouse’s cell phone?? As far as I know the simple answer is it’s a protection not to come to do an aveira (forbidden relationships)