[Avodah] Calling a Woman by Her First Name

[Yitzchok Levine]

The following is from Volume 5, Issue 11 of Halachically Speaking by 
rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits

Calling a Woman by Her First Name

In bungalow colonies men tend to be in the presence of women more
frequently than during the rest of the year. One should not call other peoples
wives by their first name. One can be lenient in regard to relatives 
such as his
aunts or cousins. Unfortunately, many people are not careful with 
this and it leads
to an excess of familiarity. Tznius is something that is learned, and 
the best way
to promote an elevated level of tznius is to be extra stringent in a 
summer related
setting such as bungalow colonies etc. One should use chuchmah and seichel to
avoid putting himself into potentially harmful situations. Tiny 
breaches, if not
controlled, can be openings for dangerous situations. Therefore, one 
should talk
in a manner that reflects tznius and self control. [83]

[83.] Horav Yisroel Belsky Shlita, see Bach E.H. 21, Taz 21:1, Ben 
Yehuyoda Sotah 2a:page 109 (new), Divrei
Chachumim page 256, Rivevos Ephraim 6:402:page 440, Sharei Halacha 
U'minhag E.H. page 147, Teharas
Hamisphacha page 240. The custom is to be lenient in regard to 
calling a non-Jewish woman by her first name (Horav
Yisroel Belsky Shlita). Refer to Yisroel Kedoshim pages 165-169. 
Refer to Sdei Chemed chof:120:page 203, Darchei
Chaim V'sholom page 372:1063, Minchas Elazar 3:13, Bais Avi 2:121, 
Betzel Hachuchma 4:70 Yismach Lev 1:pages
255-256, if a man can call his wife by her name.
______________________________________________________

I am sure that last the few words in this footnote should read, "if a 
man should call his wife by her first name."  Certainly he can call 
his wife by her first name. The question is "Should he do it?"

Any thoughts on this? Virtually everyone I know calls their wife by 
her first name.

For those interested, I have placed the entire issue at 
http://www.stevens.edu/golem/llevine/volume_5_issue_11.pdf



Yitzchok Levine 
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