Regarding wearing shorts in prayer
Hello Rabbi, I am somewhat familiar with the rulings that require long pants and agree that it is better and should be, to begin with. But I saw that you wrote here: https://mikyab.net/%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%AA/%D7%AA%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%9C%D7%94-%D7%9E%D7%9B%D7%A0%D7%A1%D7%99%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%A7%D7%A6%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%95%D7%9B%D7%A4%D7%9B%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%9D/
A person who is used to walking with a short beard is always allowed to pray like this. So a few questions:
1. The Shulchan Aruch, etc., only mention the custom of the place and respectable dress according to which, on the other hand, you write according to a person’s habits.
2. What about a case (like me) where I am in a high school yeshiva and therefore wear a long one but always in the evening and on weekends I switch to a short one, and even during the holidays I went every day with a short one without exception? Is it permissible for me to wear a short one in prayer (obviously it is not really forbidden, but the question is whether it is completely permissible and of course it is always better to wear a long one or should I wear a long one)?
- Indeed, it is more accurate to say that it is according to what is customary in that place and not according to the individual person.
2. If you (meaning in your place) behave this way even in respectable places, then it is permissible.
1. What is considered a respectable place? Everything I do/go to will be with a short dress, but when there is an event of any kind, I will wear Shabbat clothes in general (long). If I go to a meeting with a minister or prime minister, which is the example they like to give today, then it depends on the situation, I may wear both long and short. At a non-festive family event with my sister-in-law's family, then I may really change to long and not short, and other than that, nothing special, but that also depends on the situation.
2. Sometimes I feel a little hypocritical about the whole thing about wearing long dresses. If you really want to wear what you would wear before in the flesh, then it is clear to everyone that it is not only long, but Shabbat clothes in general.
The Haredim really wear what others call Shabbat clothes every day.
I don't have a clear line to give you. Do what your common sense tells you. I think a family gathering is a good measure. Standing before a king is not a reasonable criterion for something that is done 3 times a day.
Thank you very much.
The problem in my opinion is that we are influenced by the world around us. Let's say in my opinion, in an “ideal” world, everyone would wear shorts because there's really no reason why not, but in practice, because people expect you to wear long, in some cases you are forced to do so.
In my opinion, it doesn't matter why this norm took root. As long as it is the norm, then that is what is required in prayer.
Leave a Reply
Please login or Register to submit your answer
