Q&A: A Performance with Mixed Dancing
A Performance with Mixed Dancing
Question
Hello Rabbi,
I bought my wife tickets as a gift for a Hanan Ben Ari performance—for both of us.
Afterward we saw on YouTube that at his performances there are immodestly dressed secular girls (that is undisputed) who dance.
The question is whether there is a halakhic problem with going to a place like that. For example, because of "do not come near to uncover nakedness"?
And if there is no halakhic problem, is it advisable and wise for a married religious man to go to a place like that?
Thank you very much.
Answer
If there are women dancing there who are not dressed modestly, then in my opinion it is not appropriate to go. Plainly speaking, there is a halakhic problem here, but in the laws of modesty it is hard to distinguish between what is merely inappropriate and what is actually forbidden.
Discussion on Answer
In my opinion it is permitted. If a person normally goes to places like that, there is no causing him to stumble involved. Like inviting a secular person to stay with you on the Sabbath, when he is going to drive anyway.
But I thought Hanan Ben Ari wasn’t like that. Are you sure?
For your impression:
It’s long. From a quick skim I understood that this is in the audience and not on the stage. So it’s not really his fault. But really it seems to me not all that appropriate.
Yes, that’s what I meant. In the audience.
It may not be his fault. But maybe because of that he shouldn’t perform before a secular audience?
About that, I’m actually not sure. There is importance to his music becoming part of the broader cultural landscape.
Can I sell them or give them as a gift to someone else?
Or would that be causing him to stumble?