Expanding Our Religious Vocabulary
Rav Bigman is Rosh haYeshiva of Yeshivat Maale Gilboa.
This article appears in the fourth issue of Conversations, dealing with religious education. The work of educators in Day Schools is not to be underestimated. The dedicated men and women who work with adolescents are especially worthy of our appreciation. The volatile years of adolescence, times full of excitement and turmoil, present our youth with many challenges—but also harbor tremendous potential for personal growth. Read more
A New Analysis of "Kol B'Isha Erva"
Harav David Bigman is Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivat Maale Gilboa.
This responsum was translated by Yedidya Schwartz. There is no prohibition whatsoever of innocent singing; rather, only singing intended for sexual stimulation, or flirtatious singing, is forbidden. Although this distinction is not explicit in the early rabbinic sources, it closely fits the character of the prohibition as described in different contexts in the Talmud and the Rishonim, and it is supported by the language of the Rambam, the Tur, and the Shulchan Arukh. Q: We have a practice in our school, in ceremonies organized for various events, that a female student sings as part of the ceremony. Is this practice halakhically acceptable? Read more