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<a href="http://revach.net/article.php?id=4531" eudora="autourl">
http://revach.net/article.php?id=4531</a><br><br>
<font size=3>The Otzar Haposkim brings from Tshuras Shai (1:125) that a
Shul must be set up in a way that the women's section is situated in a
way that they cannot stare at the men. He brings a raya from Chazal
who say that the reason why the women were so lengthy in their words when
Shaul HaMelech came, was in order to enjoy staring at him longer.
Rebbi Yosi responds that if you say that explanation you are accusing
Bnos Yisroel of Znus. From here he learns that a woman staring at
the beauty of a man is assur just like the opposite scenario.<br><br>
However, the Otzar Haposkim brings the Maharit who says that he never
heard of any Shul that was makpid on this. He says that men staring
at women during tefila is assur MiDin but not vice versa. He also
brings proof and disproves the raya of the Tshuras Shai.<br><br>
Rav Vosner (Shevet HaLevi 5:197:2) says that the proof of the Tshuras
Shai is clear and certainly he is correct that it is assur for a woman to
stare at a man. This is a Lav of "Lo Sasuru... Acharei
Eineichem" and applies to both genders. However he says that
there is no need to be machmir to make it impossible for women to see the
men in Shul. He says that there is an issur of Histaklus L'Sheim
Ishus, staring with the intent of marital relations which applies to both
genders. However the issur of Habata or gazing, only applies to men,
since they are quicker to have Machshavos. A woman can gaze at a
man without any intent. Therefore, in Shul, the women can see the men
since Habata is permitted, but the men may not see the women at all.
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