Keeping in touch
Hello Rabbi,
I understand that the prohibition on touching members of the opposite sex is when there is affection in the touching. I’m trying to understand what the boundary of affection is.
Reaching out to help someone down from a high place, touching their hand or shoulder to get their attention, a formal handshake, what’s the law on all of this?
And is affection only in a way that is interpreted as erotic or sexual affection, or is a light hug that is also common among the same sex (two straight men / two straight women) also forbidden?
Can you explain, maybe give sources?
Discover more from הרב מיכאל אברהם
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Discover more from הרב מיכאל אברהם
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I didn't understand, I didn't ask about my mother or aunt.
Let's say I work in an office, and an employee who has been absent for a long time comes in, and she lightly hugs all the employees (a light hug that is customary today between friends, not a close hug that is customary among spouses), is such a hug called ‘touching’?
And if it is forbidden, what is the ruling (the same applies to that employee) on touching the hand or shoulder to get her attention, shaking hands, all of these are called forbidden touching?
I also didn't answer about mom and aunt. I gave an example of affectionate touch that doesn't have a sexual component.
There is no general answer for every person and every situation. You need to understand for yourself what the touch means and decide.
Leave a Reply
Please login or Register to submit your answer
