Mechitza
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A mechitza (מחיצה, Hebrew: partition or division, plural mechitzot) is a term used to refer to a partition that is a valid divider under Jewish law.
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[edit] Origin
The rationale for a partition dividing men and women is given in the Babylonian Talmud (Sukkah 51b, 52a). A divider in the form of a balcony was established in the Temple in Jerusalem for the occasion of the Simchat Beit Hashoeivah (Water Drawing Ceremony) on Sukkot, a time of great celebration and festivity. The divider was first established to preserve modesty and attention during this time.
[edit] Uses
[edit] Separate seating in synagogue
A mechitza most commonly means the physical divider placed between the men's and women's sections in Orthodox synagogues and at religious celebrations. The idea behind this is twofold. First, mingling of the genders is generally frowned upon, as this leads to frivolity, which itself may lead to promiscuity. Secondly, even if the sexes are separated, they shouldn't be able to interact to a high degree during a religious service, lest this lead to gazing and impure thoughts. Because of these restrictions, mechitzot are usually opaque (at least looking from the men's side to the women's side).
The women's section of the synagogue is called the Ezrat Nashim (women's courtyard) after a similar area in the Temple in Jerusalem.
Men and women are generally not separated in Reform and most Conservative synagogues.
The Jewish Ledger reported that as of 2005, "Beth Midrash Hagadol-Beth Joseph remains the only synagogue in the country affiliated with the Orthodox Union (OU) to have so-called 'mixed seating.'" [1] Mixed-seating Orthodox synagogues, which were a prevalent minority as late as a generation ago, have now all but disappeared. See Conservadox Judaism.
[edit] Eruvin
In halakhic discourse, "mechitza" can also refer to the boundary walls of an eruv for carrying (to carry within a given area on the sabbath the area must be entirely enclosed). There are many specific rules for what constitutes a valid mechitza, although the mechitza does not have to be solid. (For example, there are many instances where part of an eruv may be a string run across several poles, and this could constitute a valid mechitza).
[edit] Sukkah
The walls of a sukkah can also be referred to as a "mechitza" since they too must be valid walls under Jewish law.
[edit] Requirements
[edit] Proper height of synagogue mechitza
There are different views on the proper height of a mechitzah separating men and women in a synagogue. Differences about minimum mechitzah height represent a source of disagreement between more liberal or Modern and more Haredi Orthodox Jews. According to the Shulchan Aruch HaRav, used by Hassidic Judaism, a mechitzah needs to prevent men from seeing a woman who might be immodestly dressed, and hence a mechitza needs to be as tall as a man, or 6 feet. [2] However, according to Modern Orthodox Rabbi Aaron Soloveichik, a mechitzah need only serve as a halakhic partition, and hence need only be the minimum height for such a partition. Rabbi Solovechik holds that this height is 10 tefachim, about 30-40 inches, and a 36 inch height is acceptable. [3]
[edit] References
Alkalay-Gut, Karen. Mechitza. Cross-Cultural Communications, 1986. ISBN 0-89304-420-2
Goldman, Karla. Beyond the Synagogue Gallery: Finding a Place for Women in American Judaism. Harvard University Press, 2000. ISBN 0-674-00705-0
Goodman, Marina. Why Should I Stand Behind the Mechitzah if I Could Be a Prayer Leader? Targum, 2003. ISBN 1-56871-217-0
Litvin, Baruch (Editor). The Sanctity of the Synagogue: The Case for Mechitzah-Separation Between Men and Women in the Synagogue-Based on Jewish Law, History, and Philosophy. Ktav Publications Inc. 1987.
