Guidelines of Yichud in Practice
Question
Hi,
I sometimes find myself in a situation where there is an issue of yichud. I appreciate that on your website you give detailed halachic guidance, so could you please give me some guidance on this subject? I am sure there are other readers on your website who would also benefit from this.
Thank you again for the wonderful service.
Answer
Yichud is a very complex halacha, since it does not only depend on one’s custom, whether one is Bnei Sefarad or Bnei Ashkenaz, but also on the type of person who is being misyached. This includes whether the person is righteous and has respect for halacha, or someone who does not respect halacha in his day to day interactions with women. In halacha, such a person is called a paruts.
It also makes a difference what time of day one is misyached, whether it is day or night. Therefore, I will, be’ezrat Hashem, give a summary of these halachot based on the pesakim of Rabbeinu HaGaon HaRav Amrom Fried shlit”a.
Yichud: One Man with a Few Women
Bnei Sefarad:
It is forbidden for one man to be misyached even with a few women, even if the women are related to one another, and even if all those involved are kosher and religious people.
Bnei Ashkenaz:
Be’sha’at hadchak (in extenuating circumstances), during the daytime, one may be lenient to be misyached with three or more women.
At night, however, from the time when people generally go to sleep, or on side roads where no people or vehicles pass at ten-minute intervals, one may be misyached only if there are four women or more.
(Yichud at night for a short time, when there is no concern that one of the women will fall asleep, has the same halacha as yichud during the day.)
All of the cases above apply even if the women are considered prutsot, meaning they disregard the halachot of modesty.
However, if the man is the one who is a paruts, or if he is has daily interaction with women, he may not be misyached with women at all, even be’sha’at hadchak.
What is a Paruts?
A paruts refers to one who is accustomed to being misyached with women, or who is exposed to immodestly dressed women through the media or unfiltered devices.
What is Asokov im noshim (interactions with women)?
A man who is considered asokov im nosheim is for example, a women’s doctor, a tailor who makes clothing for women, a person who sells women’s clothing or jewelry, or anyone who works in a profession that is primarily designated for women. In certain cases, a manager of an office that is staffed mainly by women is also considered accustomed to interacting with women.
However, a shopkeeper, or someone who has a business that serves both men and women, is not considered someone who is accustomed to interacting with women.
Yichud for a Woman Who Is in the Presence of Men
Bnei Sefarad:
Bnei Sefarad may not be misyached even if there are many men, even if they are relatives. Only in extremely extenuating circumstances (be’sha’at hadchak gadol) may a Bnei Sefarad be misyached according to the Ashkenaz minhag, as follows.
Bnei Ashkenaz:
For Bnei Ashkenaz, one woman is permitted to be misyached during the daytime with two kosher men or more. During the night hours, meaning from the time when people generally go to sleep, it is permitted to be misyached with three men or more, even if all or some of them are sleeping. The same applies on side roads where no people or vehicles pass for ten minutes.
Yichud at night for a short time, when there is no concern that one of the men will fall asleep, has the same halacha as yichud during the day.
All the halachot mentioned above apply even if the woman is a perutsah (does not respect the halachot of tzniyut) or a non Jew, and even if the men are those who generally have dealings with women, such as a person who sells women’s clothing, etc.
However, if the men are parutsim, meaning they disregard the halachot of tzniyut, such as those who are not careful to avoid yichud with women, or people who are exposed to immodestly dressed women through newspapers or unfiltered devices, it would be forbidden to be misyached with them.
Be’sha’at hadchak (in a time of pressing need), when there is one kosher man and one man who is a paruts, one may rely on the Poskim who permit one woman to be misyached with them.
Wishing you all the best.
