[Avodah] mechitza [was: heter mechira produce]

[Richard Wolpoe]

On 10/3/07, Zev Sero <zev at sero.name> wrote:
>
> T613K at aol.com wrote:
>
> Having a mechitza in a shul is a "custom" in the same sense that having
> two sets of dishes is a "custom".  Having two sets of dishes is only
> necessary if one eats both milk and meat at home, regularly enough that
> one needs dishes for them.  If meat (or milk) never enters the home, or
> does so so rarely that it makes sense to use only disposables for it,
> then there's no need for two sets of dishes.
>
> AIUI before about the 16th century women rarely went to shul, so there
> was no need for shuls to be built with any sort of mechitza.  Even today
> not every shul follows the "custom" of having a separate women's section;
> some shtieblach don't need one, because women rarely come.  (As RMF
> writes, the practise in Lita was that even on those occasions when a
> woman or two did show up no mechitza was put up for them; it's only
> required if there are a lot of women, or if it happens regularly.)
>
> --
> Zev Sero
>

Rema mentiosn having an extra knife and marking milchig knives as a standard
for all so taht each house conforms to the same practice

There is NO mention of Mechita in Shulchan Aruch. That is problematic at
best.  It does not mean ther is no answer. It does mean that no one codified
one.

-- 
Gmar Tov
Best Wishes for 5768,
RabbiRichWolpoe at Gmail.com
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