Ask The Rabbi February 18, 1995 Issue #56 =========================================================================== This issue is sponsored in loving memory of Joseph Intract Z"l by his son Joel Walter & family =========================================================================== This edition contains: 1. Earrings for Men; Pants for Women; Problems for Modern Times 2. Answer to Last Week's Riddle =========================================================================== Jonathan from Johannesburg writes: >Dear Rabbi, > >Is wearing an earring forbidden for men because of the prohibition of >"Lo Yilbash" (A man must not wear a woman's garment)? Susie of America-On-Line writes: >Dear Rabbi, > >I'm a jogging enthusiast and I find it almost impossible to wear a skirt >when I run. Would it be permissible for me to wear pants with a skirt >over them when I run? ************************ Dear Jonathan and Susie, The Torah says "Male clothing shall not be on a woman and a man shall not wear a feminine garment." The halachic authorities explain that this prohibition is designed to prevent members of the opposite sex from dressing alike in order to mingle without being recognized; all this for the purpose of improper sexual behavior. As for earrings, though, this reason doesn't seem to apply. A man wearing all men's clothing will be easily recognized as male even with an earring. The poskim clarify however, that it would be forbidden to wear an article exclusively associated with the opposite sex even if it doesn't disguise the wearer. The real question is: Are earrings "exclusively" associated with the opposite sex? Aren't there men who also wear earrings? The definition of what constitutes a male or female garment becomes blurred when clothing is generally worn by one gender, but is also worn by some members of the opposite gender. I asked Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg, shlita, about this issue. Although he doesn't recommend that men wear earrings, he said that it would be halachically permitted to do so, since some men do wear them. As for women wearing pants, the same would seem to apply, provided the pants were not designed exclusively for men. But there is another problem -- that the design of pants might be considered immodest for women. Wearing a skirt over the pants, however, would seem to take care of this problem. Rabbi Scheinberg, shlita, said that it is permitted for a woman to wear slacks that are designed for both men and women (i.e., sweat pants) if she wears a knee-length skirt over them. Speaking of fashion, I'm reminded of the guy who showed up for work one morning wearing two different shoes; the right one black and the left one white. Taking a good look at him, his boss said, "Your shoes! They...they're..." "Beautiful, aren't they?" the employee said proudly. "I have another pair at home exactly like them." Sources: o Devarim 22:5. o Shulchan Aruch - Yoreh De'ah 182 and commentaries. o Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef - Yabi' ah Omer vol. 6. =========================================================================== Answer to Last Week's Riddle Question: In Parshat Terumah, which three articles of the Tabernacle are spelled with the same letters? Answer: Kapporet (25:17, the Ark's cover) Kaphtor (25:33, the ornamental spheres of the Menorah) Parochet (26:31, the curtain covering the innermost part of the Sanctuary). =========================================================================== Ohr Somayach International - Internet Department - wishes MAZEL TOV to Moshe Yaakov and Chaya Schwartz, who are to be married on February 19th. We wish our "Internet Techie" and his wife much success! =========================================================================== ** Spend This Coming Summer Break In Israel For As Little As $599 ** ** (including airfare from New York) ** =========================================================================== JLE Israel Summer Seminar '95 7 weeks of study and touring, optional Ulpan, and structured encounters with Israeli Dignitaries Departure June 14th Optional free week August 8th through August 14th For Jewish men between the ages of 19 & 30 with demonstrated academic achievement and a sincere motivation to explore their roots Minimum scholarship price: $599 Covers round trip ticket, room, board, tuition and tours Undergraduates attending college anywhere in North America who PERMANENTLY reside in New York City (the 5 boroughs), Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk counties) or Westchester County -- as well as undergraduates attending college in any of these areas although permanently residing elsewhere -- may qualify for additional scholarship monies. 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