Saying Good Shabbos To Passerbys

Home Forums Shabbos! Saying Good Shabbos To Passerbys

Viewing 47 posts - 51 through 97 (of 97 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #1010750
    nanny
    Member

    All I know is that whenever I was greeted with a “gut shabbos” from a guy who was either an older teen or 20’s, it wasn’t coming from just… ahavas yisroel. Let’s put it that way.

    But if you’re not referring to people close in age like that, It should be fine.

    But either way, don’t ignore! You don’t have to say Gut Shabbos to everyone, but if someone greeted you, you should greet them back. THAT’s where politeness comes in.

    #1010751
    YW Moderator-42
    Moderator

    WIY, maybe they think you’re OTD because you wear a bend down and no beard so they were answering politely to be mekarev you. ^_^

    #1010752
    Robertz
    Member

    It’s all relative. Here in the 5 Towns “good shabbos or Shabbat shalom” is expressed reflexively, whereas in other communities it can result in ex communication.

    #1010753
    kfb
    Participant

    Wasn’t it Rabbi Akiva who said one should be the first to greet everyone. (not sure if it was him or not but some huge Gadol said it). Doesnt that mean we should say good shabbos/good morning to everyone since Rabbi Akiva said one should be the first one to greet everyone. Do you think he meant to only greet someone first if they are of the same gender and Jewish?? He meant everyone because in his day our religion wasn’t as judgmental. People actually loved their neighbor like themselves.

    #1010754
    Nechomah
    Participant

    T613 – what about if you just smile and nod your head. Would that be a happy medium?

    #1010755
    ZeesKite
    Participant

    kfb:

    Actually, he meant the same gender, regardless if Jewish. If I remember correctly, afilu nachri bshuk, even a non-Jew in the street. It does not say the same about a woman. Please read my earlier posts. I’d not like to get into arguments. (It bode me no good previously). I will ??”? not be drawn into machlokes, argument, bickering etc. It’s not what I’m here for.

    Regarding your statement about our religion now being “judgmental”, kindly remember the sheer hatred Rabbi Akiva had, when yet unlearned, towards Talmidei Chachamim. Do you begin to fathom the Kedushah that permeated our nation then? How every single issue was weighed and analyzed from all angles before taking action. Our code of laws nowadays is but an echo of the laws and customs followed in the era of the the Tanaaim, Bais Hamikdash.

    They sure were ohev as habrios umkarvon ltorah (take a peek at Avos), but it definitely was not a free-for-all, anything-goes, friendship, brotherhood society. No. Not at all.

    #1010756
    HaLeiVi
    Participant

    It says to be first to give Shalom. Since we don’t expect someone from the other side of the Mechitza to give you Shalom, as it says Ein Sho’alin Bishlom…, there is no issue of being first.

    #1010757
    WIY
    Member

    Torah

    Its not a lack of Tznius if a girl says gut shabbos to the guy unless it is obvious that she has ulterior motives.

    #1010758
    kfb
    Participant

    Zeeskite, I need you to show me proof that Rabbi Akiva was talking about saying hi to the same gender only. Please show me something that says so.

    #1010759
    Toi
    Participant

    mitzvah min hamuvchar to davka greet the opposite gender, enter into a philosophical discussion with him/her, share a great dvar torah, and invite them over somethime.

    #1010760
    Shraga18
    Participant

    I noticed that everyone is ignoring zeeskite’s mention of Shlomis bas Divri, so I figured I’d mention it again.

    Shlomis bas Divri.

    #1010761
    RedNails19
    Participant

    yes! I think its a beautiful thing to do and a kiddush hashem!

    #1010762
    oomis
    Participant

    “Shlomis bas Divri.”

    I was taught it was Beruriah, wife of Rabbi Meir.

    #1010763
    HaLeiVi
    Participant

    Shlomis Bas Divri is the one who is criticized for greeting men. Bruria is the one who told a Tana off for not speaking in shorter sentences.

    The Gemara in Keddushin also says that EIn Sho’alim Bishlom Isha, you don’t send regards even through her husband. (Technically, you might be able to differentiate between regards and asking how are you, and merely saying Good Shabbos especially where it would be an accepted social norm.)

    #1010764
    I. M. Shluffin
    Participant

    It’s nice to be nice. In my community, everyone greets each other (maybe cus we all know each other). There’s never a problem of girls greeting bachurim, cus they’re always on opposite sides of the street. (We’re super-tznius here.)

    I also experimented saying Good Shabbos in other cities – I felt so happy when there were actually one or two people who answered me!

    Good Shabbos, everyone! (It’s actually Sunday – don’t judge me)

    I dare you to answer.

    #1010765
    mavmav
    Participant

    out of town: say good shabbos

    anywhere in Brooklyn: don’t say good shabbos (you won’t get a shidduch; in brooklyn you can only talk to the opposite gender if nobody is watching

    5 towns: say good shabbos

    Queens: say Good shabbos

    everywhere else: say good shabbos

    say good shabbos everywhere except for Brooklyn (#FlatbushFakers)

    #1010766
    👑RebYidd23
    Participant

    No, what you should do is carry a sign that says “Good shabbos” on it. Then it’s clear that you’re saying good shabbos to the world, not flirting.

    #1010767
    oyyoyyoy
    Participant

    #outoftowncomplex

    #1010768
    mobico
    Participant

    I have two stories to share. One happened with a couples of out-of-town girls who were in Brooklyn for Shabbos. Passing a couple of Yeshivah Bachurim, one called out, “Good Shabbos!” When she received no response, she called out in a louder voice, “Good Shabbos!!” When there was still no response forthcoming, she called out (now even farther away), “I’M SORRY! I THOUGHT YOU WERE JEWISH!” Note that there was no sarcasm involved.

    The second was related to me by an acquaintance of mine. He and his wife have lived in Rechavia for decades. When they first got there, his wife complained to him about the unfriendly feeling that she had there. “With the exception of one old man who always wishes me “Good morning”, everybody just ignores me!” A few days later, she said to her husband, “There’s the man who always greets me!” It was Harav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach ZTZ”L.

    #1010769
    TheGoq
    Participant

    when this symbol # is used on YWN is it called a kugeltag?

    #1010770
    Mayan_Dvash
    Participant

    rebyid, the problem with your solution is that in Flatbush where you have to use a sign as opposed to saying “Good Shabbos” those people don’t carry so you’ll be ostracized for carrying in Flatbush anyway. In Boro Park at least, many people do hold of the eruv. I grew up in BP and did say Good Shabbos and still got married. BTW, there are more people like me in Brooklyn than you think.

    ;

    #1010771

    if you are of age 16 up you shouldnt say gut shabbos to someone of the opposite gender until you are married

    #1010772
    Epis
    Participant

    I don’t know whats wrong with you people. I say Good Morning to people in the morning on the street whether I know them or not (no matter what gender), and I Gut Shabbos to people (no matter what gender). Yes, I live in Flatbush!

    #1010773
    ED IT OR
    Participant

    @goq +1

    #1010774
    TheGoq
    Participant

    lol ty cb glad someone got it.

    #1010775
    Chortkov
    Participant

    The Gemara Kesuvos already gave the answer to all such moral dilemmas:–

    ???? ??? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ??? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ??? ?? ??. V’dok. (??? ????? from R’ Shlomo Zalman zt”l before!)

    Which means: The Gemara brings a story about R’ Acha who used to pick up Kallas and dance with her on his shoulders [which is obviously pritzus in our circles]. The Rabbanan asked him if they could do the same, to which he answered “If she is compared to you like a plank of wood , then go ahead. If not, then don’t!”

    The same pretty much sums up all such dilemmas. If you feel, unlike most normal adolescent males, that your casual contact with women does not cause impure thoughts, then it is the most decent thing to do to greet (unless of course SHE will feel uncomfortable, which is sort of counterproductive). However, the rest of us humans should not.

    (Dunno if I am generalizing too much or if its just me being honest!)

    #1010776
    oyyoyyoy
    Participant

    ok i hope this is worth it. es chatzaai ani mazkir hayom. when i was younger me and the boys went for shabbos walks and ya wed love to bump into girls and say good shabbos. lame but true. the ones that were makdim shalom were obviously looking for trouble.

    lmayseh whats pshat so many chassidim (male) dont say (or respond) good shabbos? kalteh chassidim nowadays

    btw its PASSERSBY

    #1010777

    Epis: I wrote it once, I’ll write it once again. Shlomis bas Divrie also did it. She greeted people of both genders at all occasions, as Chazal tell us. “Shalom alach, Shalom alach”. Much to her undoing. She too did not see anything wrong – being friendly, cordial, social, “proper etiquette”, “gemutlach”. That was her inner flaw that brought her to no good…. Chazal suggest otherwise.

    We follow Chazal who tell us not to, ??? ?????? ????? ???, and many other sayings.. ????? ???? ?”?…

    So in a place where it’s the norm, it’s not flirting (I’d maybe think there can be a difference between a woman engaging and a man – maybe a woman engaging is too pritzus – like Shlomis did, again, just maybe), otherwise it should not be done.

    #1010778
    👑RebYidd23
    Participant

    I wasn’t exactly serious. I meant it as an extremist solution.

    #1010779
    hashtag
    Member

    think about it…. whoever started this “wishing good Shabbos” its just so nice that Jewish people from all over the world greet each other like this

    #1010780
    Epis
    Participant

    Little Froggie, So your telling me what I do is pretzus? (BTW I am a male)

    #1010781
    zappy
    Member

    rav avigdor miller zt”l said boys shouldn’t need to look or talk to a girl ever! (unless immediate family or obviously your spouse)

    #1010782

    Epis, ask your local Halachiknician, Madrich, qualified Rav, Dayan, Rosh Yeshiva, Rebbe, Mashgiach. Contrary to popular belief, I have NO qualifications, recommendations, certifications of any sort (other than the license to drive a car and to live married life). I cannot tell ANYONE what to do.

    #1010783
    Epis
    Participant

    Little Froggie, let me tell you a story. I was walking to shachris one morning, as I passed someone I smiled at him and said “Good Morning”, and we both went our merry way. The next morning I saw the same person, he told me that his day began sour and when I told him Good Morning it lasted the entire day and that is how he got through his day. So to all those people who do smile at someone they pass on the street & greet them with a good morning, you may be saving the day for that person, whether they are male or female.

    #1010784
    Utah
    Member

    Chazal made statements about touching people of the opposite gender, I don’t think that they made statements about not saying good shabbos to the opposite gender.

    #takingbeingfrumtofar

    #1010785

    epis. that is a very nice story however noone has ever said that to me and i say hi to everyone.

    #1010786
    Chortkov
    Participant

    Utah — “Chazal made statements… I don’t think that they made statements about not saying Good Shabbos to the opposite gender”

    Incorrect. Chazal definitely did make such statements, as quoted by posters before – ??? ?????? ????? ??? ???. A simple transalation of this is that a man is prohibited from “asking peace” – aka greeting – a woman. (Halevi before explained that it is not necessarily the intention of the words, but the statement is there to debate).

    Anyways, “#takingbeingfrumtofar” is a bit harsh – not everything Chazal had to say explicitly; the Shulchan Aruch says “Hisrachek min Hanoshim” — distance yourselves from women. The Gemara countrless times numerates the issurim of having too much contact with the opposite gender. Whether greeting is specifically ossur is probably irrelevant; if it causes Hirhurim, it is Ossur.

    #1010787

    Utah – read on. You’ll get to it.

    Actually not touching is not from Chazal, it’s from the Torah (Bible), ?? ?????. Chazal made numerous statements about engaging opposite gender in conversation, idle chatter etc. The place is not here. Look up in Shulchan Aruch, ask your local qualified posek (as I wrote).

    Just one note here, I think the Rambam who generally states to take the mean, middle, center path regarding all Middos and actions, deviates here regarding the separation of sexes and says “???? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ?????” (if I remember correctly). A person should distance himself EXCEEDINGLY from women.

    That is being frum. (Chazal knew people’s inclination, they knew where EXTREME caution is needed.)

    #1010788
    writersoul
    Participant

    I always do to women. They only sometimes respond. (I live in a neighborhood of Brooklyn expats.)

    Men it depends. If they’re walking with women then of course. If not, it depends which neighborhood I’m in. In my neighborhood, which is very yeshivish, I won’t unless they say it first, and generally they only say it first if they know me (friends of my dad’s, etc). It doesn’t necessarily come up, of course- I’ve often walked down the block and seen a guy cross the street when he saw me approach. Not sure whether to be offended or flattered… 🙂

    I don’t think that saying good Shabbos is INHERENTLY flirting. I will definitely concede that in many cases it can be (walking a few shabbosim back with a couple of friends who were prettier than I am, we got a good Shabbos from them that was definitely not just politeness and concern for our well-being…), but it can also just be politeness, which seems to have gone the way of the dinosaur.

    #1010789
    Epis
    Participant

    I said Good Shabbos to a total of 4 Women This Week!

    #1010790

    …a total of 4 women.. Wonder how you got that TOTAL. (1.25 + 1.25 + 1.5, or maybe 3 x 1.3333 and round off the last woman)

    #1010791
    hatzolajew
    Member

    yes.

    #1010792
    DikDukDuck
    Participant

    Just passing by- oh, good Shabbos!

    #1010793
    Bookworm120
    Participant

    @DDD – Gut voch. 😛

    #1010794
    Epis
    Participant

    Little Frogie, Maybe 4*1=4 or 1+1+1+1=4 or the derivative of 4x=4

    #1010795
    seichel101
    Member

    Maybe if boys and girls would say Good Shabbos to each other there would not be a Shidduch crisis!!!!!

    #1010796
    Utah
    Member

    @little Froggie I did not know that the torah is called the bible. Thank you so much for clarifying it for me.

    Ok it seems that I was wrong about my sources but based on the community I was raised in, It is common for people to say good shabbos to people of the opposite gender. That is what is considered polite. Maybe in your communities this is not the norm. However I am going to trust the Rabbis and the community I am from.

Viewing 47 posts - 51 through 97 (of 97 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.