Q&A: Your Opinion
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Your Opinion
Question
Hello Rabbi,
Is there any prohibition against mixed seating of men and women in the synagogue?
Would you personally pray in such a synagogue? (By the way, women of course receive aliyot to the Torah and read from it.)
Answer
There is no prohibition at all, as long as the women are dressed modestly. The custom is to sit separately.
Receiving an aliyah to the Torah is even less problematic, in my opinion. The reason of the congregation’s dignity does not seem relevant to me today.
There is no prohibition as long as you know for certain that it won’t cause improper thoughts. But given how the male mind works, then yes—sitting next to a woman will cause improper thoughts. There is a reason for the custom.