Parshas Vaeschanan (Nachamu) 5785
- Torah Tavlin
- Aug 8
- 2 min read
Monetary, Interpersonal Laws and Din Torah (42)
Traveling: Yichud. To understand the relevant cases of Yichud while traveling in a vehicle, we must first review the basic laws of Yichud, and then apply them to cars. It is forbidden [sometimes Min HaTorah and sometimes Rabbinically] for a man and woman to be together alone in a secluded area. An adult male [above Bar Mitzvah] cannot be together with a female who is at least three years-old, and a woman cannot be together with a male who is at least nine. This includes not only seclusion in a house, but also in isolated woods, parks, and even cemeteries, because whenever the secluded parties feel comfortably guarded from outside intrusion or notice, there is an issur of Yichud. This is relevant with maids, repairmen, baby sitters, places of employment, borders, medical and therapy care, and regarding our topic, while traveling by car and bus. During the summer, there may be additional cases while driving on country roads at night. Even when there is no issur Yichud, because of tznius and risk considerations it might not be advisable to let a man and woman travel together. n
Exceptions to the Prohibition of Yichud. There are certain close blood relatives that do not cause the issur of Yichud, because being secluded with them does not arouse one to do the wrong thing. Therefore, a man can be alone with his mother, grandmother, great-grandmother etc, sister, daughter, grand- daughter and great-granddaughter, etc. Similarly, a lady can be together with her father, grandfather, great-grandfather, etc, brother, son, grandson, and great grandson, etc. Brothers and sisters, even half-brothers and half-sisters, do not have this issur of Yichud unless they are together for an extended period of time. There is no clear definition how long that time is. Some Poskim (1) rule that an “extended period of time” refers to a week or more, which might already be assur and should be avoided. Most Poskim (2) hold that aunts and nephews maintain all the Yichud restrictions. Likewise, cousins and in-laws have all the Yichud restrictions. Similarly, step-children, step-brothers and sisters do have the issur of Yichud.
(1) שו"ת חוט השני, יחוד ג' (2) עייו דבר הלכה ב:ב