INBOX: Mixed Seating at Concerts
by Anonymous
The following article comes to you with a lot of back and forth from me. Should I say something? Does anyone else feel the same way?
But then I saw the advertisement for the upcoming Zaka Concert, and it hit me. I would love to go to this concert; such an incredible lineup. There’s just one problem: there is no option for separate seating. (Dun, dun, dun, dun).
I think we can all agree that concerts are a blast; however, there are some – myself included – who do not do mixed seating.
I’m not writing this article to shame or judge others, Chas Veshalom. The point of a Jewish concert is the exact opposite. The Frierdiker Rebbe says that music is the pen of the soul. Music is supposed to bring us together. And trust me, it does! No wonder why all the big tzedaka campaigns come with live music. Music opens up our hearts!!
I’m bringing in a Halachic perspective in hope that maybe this article will reach the frum organizers of said concert/future concerts.
I’m not hating on those who do mixed seating; you do you. I’m only asking that I be able to do me too ;)
A Halachic Perspective
According to Halacha, “men and women are not allowed to sit together in an event. They need a mechitza.”
For sure, the same applies when there is singing and dancing involved. I know for one that I cannot sit like a stone by a good concert.
For those who choose to follow the above, there should be an option.
I know that it’s difficult, and family seating probably makes more sales, but please, for the sake of Halachah and all those who would love to participate, make a separate seating option.
Thank you!
https://asktherav.com/2806-2-are-men-and-women-allowed-to-sit-together-at-a-concert-event-etc
Rivky
Thank you for finally brining this up!!
BMG Kollel Guy
In the Litvish world, Bnei Torah only attend separate seating concerts. In the Poilish and Ungarish Chassidish world, it is unheard of to attend a mixed concert. The Modern Orthodox / YU people attend mixed concerts. Chabad Houses out of town also make mixed concerts. Lubavitch Crown Heights needs to decide if it follows MO/Chabad House or authentic Chassidish/Litvish Bnei Torah. Choose who u r!
ben yehuda
We need to choose who to follow?! How about choose how to lead!
FYI
Chabad has been moving in the direction of Modern Orthodoxy for years.
Chabad
Chabad is NOT M.O.!!!
What is done in Chabad houses for kiruv is not always acceptable for chassidim.
Remember 1 thing. The Rebbe did not even allow boys and girls, under bar/bat mitzva to sit together at the rallies. He did not even allow pictures of boys and girls playing together in the magazines he over saw.
You are not a child.
You don’t need to sit with your wife at a concert.
Sara g
Doesn’t Oholei Torah have a mixed dinner?
Oheli Torah
One wrong doesn’t make a right
Ten yar
Did not have a complete mechitza at their concert and I was advised by a crown heights rov to leave
I only paid for the tickets after I was told that there will be a mechitza. Why should they put up up a mechitza if people will come regardless?
Chaya
Thank you for posting this.
I don’t know what Oheli Torah or Ten Yad does. All I know is that the article is written very well, and brings up a really valid point.
For ppl who want to do separate seating, there should be an option
Sara g
Very often separate seating means women have to sit in a sub par place. I understand davening needs to be separate but otherwise unless an event is mixed, I’m not attending.
Yes
So don’t attend!
Rather seating according to halacha then some individuals not attending.
No, it doesn’t mean sup bar seating for women.
When there is separate seating at these events, the women usually have options that are just as good.
Yes
So don’t attend, halacha is more important.
And the seating provided is usually the same as for men and not sub par.
Not true.
Men on one side, women on the other. Mechitza in the middle. There’s is no sub par seating.
sara g
How about on buses? I get motion sickness; I’m not sitting in the back.