Ramat Gan Chief Rabbi HaGaon HaRav Yaakov Ariel Shlita is opposed to spreading dati leumi minhag permitting women to give a dvar Torah from the bimah in front of the Aaron Kodesh.
The rav’s position appeared in a response to a question appearing on The Yeshiva website. The question cited the occasional lack of modest dress by such a woman, including hair being uncovered, sleeves that are too short, “not to mention the length of her skirt”.
The person inquiring wished to know if it is permitted for one to daven in such a shul and simply walk out during a woman’s drasha or perhaps such an action would be offensive to the woman and be a chilul Hashem.
The rav responded that “There must be a separation between men and women during davening. There is no place for a woman to give a dvar Torah during davening, even if she is dressed modestly and certainly if she is not properly dressed. This is a chilul Hashem. Look for another shul.”
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
5 Responses
There are many MO shuls in the U.S. where girls are permitted to give a dvar torah from the bimah but AFTER davening; I wonder if the Rav’s position would apply to these types of situations.
I would have thought that this one is a no-brainer.
Even Dvorah Ha’Nevuah spoke to men from behind a Mechitzah! (Or, as some say, through her husband.)
Rav Ariel is a chasuva Talmid Chocham and Gadol B’yisroel, OF COURSE he is dismayed by lack of tzinus and other behaviors not fitting for a Batei Knesset.
I go to a shul where modestly dressed women often speak from a podium near the Aron. It is an area completely enclosed by mechitzot, with no men in the area when the woman is speaking. This would seem to address Rav Ariel’s concerns.
For the sake of accuracy, women giving Divrei Torah is NOT a dati leumi minhag. Saying that is like saying that the Lev Tahor cult is mainstream Chareidi. Both statements are obsurd. Lets be truthful and fair to everyone and not make up nonsense.