Q&A: A Female Singer’s Performance
A Female Singer’s Performance
Question
Hello Rabbi,
There is a singer whose performance I’ve really wanted to attend, and I’d like to know whether it’s permitted. I’ll try to describe the relevant details:
A. First of course, there’s a woman’s singing voice. I know with almost complete certainty that it arouses 0 sexual desire in me (and in fact I don’t think it arouses that in anyone nowadays), and I’m also not sure that the plain meaning of the Talmudic passages really intends to forbid listening to women singing (but I’m not qualified to issue a halakhic ruling like that on my own).
B. The singer is a pop singer, and as such there will be dancing. In addition, she doesn’t usually wear provocative things, but it’s possible that her clothing won’t be 100% modest (like the way secular women commonly dress nowadays, not modestly).
C. There’s no doubt there will be mixed dancing in the audience and a “party” atmosphere, but on the other hand I checked beforehand and there is plenty of room to stand off to the side and not in the middle of the dancing.
In your opinion, is it permitted or forbidden to go to the performance? If it’s forbidden, I’d be glad to know the precise reason.
Answer
In my opinion there is no prohibition if you are going for an artistic purpose and it will not arouse any particular sexual thoughts in you.