[Avodah] Women and Tallis

[Moshe Y. Gluck]

This is from R' Aviner's weekly emails. I thought the story in the answer
(below) was interesting on many levels.

 

Question: But Ha-Rav Moshe Feinstein writes in Shut Igrot Moshe (Orach Chaim
4:49) that a woman is permitted to fulfill the Mitzvah of Tzitzit although
she is not obligated, with two conditions: 1. Her intention is not to rebel
against Hashem and His Torah, but  for the sake of Heaven.  2. The garment
needs to be different from a male garment to avoid the prohibition of "Lo
Tilbash".

Answer: In order for this to be for the sake of Heaven and not "Yuhara", she
needs to wear the Talit in private and no one should know.  And,  it needs
to be a Talit for women (It is told that a woman once asked Ha-Rav Yosef
Soloveitchik if she could wear a Talit during davening.  He responded to
her: "Since this is a major change in traditional practice, we must proceed
gradually."  He suggested that she wear a four-cornered garment without
Tzitzit for three months and then come back.  She returned after three
months and said that this was the most meaningful religious experience of
her life.  Ha-Rav Soloveitchik said: "For three months, you have been
wearing a garment without any religious or halachic value, it is thus clear
that your feeling comes from a source outside of the Mitzvah", and he did
not grant her permission to wear a Talit).      

 

 

KT,

MYG

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