(c) 2000 Dr Hendel; 1st appeared in Torah Forum (c) Project Genesis
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Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 19:16:13 -0400 (EDT)
From: Russell Hendel < rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu>
Subject: Re: Yichud in College
Yisroel asks in Torah Forum Volume 4 Number 92 if
< < ...in college where only co-ed living environments exist, am I constantly
sinning by living in an environment with Yichud...> >
This question is an excellent opportunity to show how the TECHNICAL and
MORAL aspects of the halachah intertwine when giving an answer to a
halachic question. A halachic question should not be approached ONLY
technically or ONLY morally. The two should be (delicately) combined.
There are at least four issues here
1) THE TECHNICAL VIOLATION OF YICHUD: To violate the technical law you need
3 items being met: 2a) You have to be alone in a room with a member of the
opposite sex without (just the two of you; according to some opinions the
law applies to one man with several women); 2b) the room is INACCESSIBLE
from the outside both physically and visually; 2c) the seclusion in the
room will last at least 10 minutes. So eg being in an elevator, or being in
a room with say another couple where there are windows at a ground level,
or being alone in a room with a member of the opposite sex where however a
roomate has a key to the room--all these cases are NOT technical violations
of YICHUD. Needless to say they may violate standards of modesty and make
you feel uncomfortable.
2) OTHER LIVING ARRANGEMENTS: If you feel that uncomfortable there is
probably some other living arrangement possible. Surely a college is not
forcing anyone to live with members of the opposite gender
3) MORAL ADVICE: EVEN if you are not violating the TECHNICAL law and EVEN
if you don't feel uncomfortable nevertheless if there is alot of
opportunity to be ALONE then a person should feel uncomfortable. No person
should spend 4 college years exposed to such an environment as the
probability of sinning is very great.
4) The RAMBAM'S MORAL ADVICE: < And let him especially avoid YICHUD which is
the big cause of sin (Forbidden relations 22:20)>
Hope this helps. Please write about the particular college living
situation--since many people face these problems today and it would be
useful to know what has happened to living relationships.
Russell Hendel; Phd ASA; RJHendel@Juno.Com
MOderator Rashi is Simple; http://www.shamash.org/rashi/