Easing Restrictions Due to Embarrassment
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Question
My wife feels very embarrassed when we are in public during her niddah days and she needs to give me something or receive something from me, and we cannot pass it directly hand to hand. It is very difficult for her to place it on something, and everyone sees that we are in a time of prohibition. Is it possible to be lenient in this matter?
Answer
Shalom Rav
The answer is divided into two parts. A. It is important to reiterate that there is no embarrassment in this; it is a natural and normal state, and observing the commandments is an honor, not a shame. Just as we are not embarrassed to walk without an umbrella on a rainy Shabbat because we observe Shabbat.
B. Nevertheless, it is certainly necessary to consider the wife's feelings and try as much as possible to prepare in advance for going out. Ensure that the things she will need on the street are with her in advance [phone, credit card, tissues, etc.], and the things you will need are with you. This way, the emotional difficulty will be minimized as much as possible.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah, Siman 195