Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Physical Affection In Public

Is it permitted to show physical affection for one's spouse in public?

The Rema [Even Ha-ezer 21/5] forbids it. It is significant however that nobody forbade it before him and the source he bases himself upon [the Nimukei Yosef] doesn't say it is "halacha" but "derech eretz". 

But the Rema paskens this prohibition. 

In the Shu"t Bnei Bonim [R' Yehuda Henkin simman 12] the author permits holding hands on the street עיי"ש. 

In the Charedi world it is not considered acceptable at all. Elsewhere, they are not as strict.... 

ואכמ"ל בזה......

Note: In private, physical affection between spouses is desideratum. ויש להאריך ואין כאן מקומו]