- Rabbi Dr. Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff
- Date:
-
Venue:
YU Israel
History: - Duration: 1 hr 44 min
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1 comment Leave a Comment
Author: True == 1 ? Anonymous : Anonymous #44;
<p>At the 14:30 mark Rabbi Rakefet stated that one is permitted to hug an aunt. That is very surprising. He quotes the Rambam as permitting it. That is patently false. The Rambam [אישות כ""א ו] says that to hug a BLOOD RELATIVE whom one is not attracted to [besides a parent or grandparent] is both stupid and forbidden and the Shulchan Aruch follows this ruling. [If she is NOT a blood related aunt then it is much worse - maybe מדאורייתא]. The Chofetz Chaim in Nidchei Yisrael [Chapter 84] said that it is strictly forbidden. See also the Igros Moshe [ח"ב יו"ד סי' קל"ז ואבע"ה ח"ד סי' ס"ג] who says according to the Rambam the prohibition is מדרבנן. </p> <p>However, see a leneint ruling of Rav Shlomo Amar [שמע שלמה ח"ב סי' י"ב] and also משנה הלכות ח"ט סי' ע"ד. </p> <p>His comparison to shaking hands [which is actually יהרג ואל יעבור according to the Steipler and others] is also faulty as anyone can understand. </p> <p>If one wants to follow the ruling of the majority of poskim he can politely tell his aunt how much he loves her but he can't kiss and hug her. </p> <p> </p>