Walking between Two Women

Is it true that it is forbidden to walk between two women?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

The source for a man not to walk in between 2 women is found in the Talmud (Pesachim 111a, Horiyos 13b) and applies equally to a man walking between two women and a woman walking between 2 men. We are told that doing so will affect one’s Torah studies. It is also cited as being spiritually “dangerous.”

The Chazon Ish was extremely particular about this and when people would come to him telling him that this rule was too difficult he would respond “Do you find it too difficult to avoid walking into a fire?”

This applies between family members.

If two men (or two women) are walking together, they should hold onto each other and then they may pass between the two women (or two men).

If one finds oneself in a situation where one will be walking between 2 members of the opposite gender, one should make sure to grasp something, preferably a mitzvah item such as a holy book, tzitzit, or even one’s pe’ot while walking between them. 

According to Kabbala one should also say the verse "Kel Nekamos Hashem, kel nekamos ho'fia" while walking between them.