Yichud in Jewish Medical Clinic
Question
Hi,
When I go to the clinic, I sometimes have an issue with yichud. I want to mention that it is a Jewish clinic in a Jewish neighborhood. Can you please advise me on the halachos regarding myself and the doctor? For example, is it acceptable if he closes the door, etc.?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
The prohibition of yichud in a clinic depends on whether the main entrance door of the clinic and the door of the doctor’s room are locked or unlocked, open or closed, and according to what will be explained below.
If both the main door of the clinic is somewhat open, and the door of the doctor’s room is also somewhat open, there is no prohibition of yichud.
If the main door of the clinic is closed, but not locked, and people are genrally enter the clinic from time to time, and in addition, the door of the doctor’s room is closed, but not locked, or there is a secretary there or staff members who enters from time to time, there is no prohibition of yichud.
However, if no one enters from time to time, one should not be lenient l’chatchilah, and should arrange one of the solutions that I will write later.
If there are several men and women in the clinic, even if the main door of the clinic is locked, but the door of the doctor’s room is not locked, there is no prohibition of yichud, as such but it would still have to be assessed by the general halachos of men with women in a closed place brought in our website under the title: “Guidelines of Yichud in Practice”
If the main door is locked, or the door of the doctor’s room is locked, (even if the main door is not locked), then there would be an issue of yichud and should do one of the solutions listed below;
Solutions when it is a female patient with a male doctor:
a. There should be an additional worker who has a key and is able to enter at any moment (without it having to be opened from inside), this is provided that there is a chance that he would enter.
b. If the patient’s husband is in town, and this is on condition that this specific doctor is not her regular doctor, and that there is no familiarity between them, meaning that their conversation is no more than technical matters, then she would be permitted to be in misyached with the doctor.
c. Even if her sister-in-law, her daughter-in-law, her mother-in-law are present there, or another woman whose husband is in town is also present, or another woman who is present there with her father, then there is no prohibition of yichud.
d. If there is a boy or a girl there between the ages of 5 and 10, (or even over the age of 10 if he is her son), there is no prohibition of yichud.
Solutions when it is a male patient with a female doctor:
a. There should be an additional worker who has a key and is able to enter at any moment without having to be opened from the inside, this is provided that there is a chance that he would enter.
b. His wife is with him.
c. If there is a boy or a girl between the ages of 5 and 10.
d. If he brought his daughter, his mother, or his sister, from the age of 5 and up, along with him.
e. According to the Ashkenazim, it is would be enough that a kosher man is there, even from the age of 5 and up.
Yichud in an Elevator
If the elevator can be opened on every floor by someone outside pressing the button, as is common in office buildings, there is no concern of yichud.
However, if the elevator cannot be opened from the outside on every floor, there is a prohibition of yichud after half a minute. In a situation of pressing need, besha’at hadechak, one may be lenient for up to two minutes.
Wishing you well.
