Orach Chaim 240

Question

With regard to OC”H 240 4 would it be permitted to look through a mirror or picture. By regular ervah the issur is based on hirhur and I would understand that it would be prohibited. However one may definitely think of this place, would there still be a issur?
If you can give a source for your answer I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you,
Theodore

0

Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    Even if there was no Halachic prohibition it would be the wrong thing to do. The Shulchan Aruch states clearly that it is forbidden. There are no dissenting opinions.

    Is it possible to understand the Shulchan Aruch as referring to looking at “oso makom” in “real time” and looking at a photo might be permissible? Possibly. But why would a person do such a thing? Personally, I do not think that the Shulchan Aruch was making any distinctions as to how it is being done.

    However, even if technically it is not forbidden, the Shulchan Aruch states categorically that a person who does so has “no shame.” Just because something might be technically permitted it does not mean that it is the correct thing to do. The Torah commands us in Vayikra 19: “Kedoshim Tehiyu” – we must sanctify ourselves. And, as the Ramban famously writes, we are commanded not to be “menuval b’reshus haTorah.”

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team