Bat Mitzvah
Question
I attended a Bat Mitzvah celebration that was held in an local Chabad house and saw some things that I have never before seen and I was wondering if this was permissable. 1). The women were dancing behind a mehitzah that was completely open to the male band members. Is this okay? 2). Women were "hula-hooping" in a contest in full view of the male guests. I do not understand how "hula-hooping" differs from dancing with regards to tznius. Is this okay? 3). The Bat Mitzvah itself included men praying Shaharit in the main sanctuary while the women gathered around a piano in the social hall to pray the entire Shaharit with song accompanied by piano music. I have never seen this before, is this permissable? 4). After the women finished their prayer service, the Bat Mitzvah came into the main sanctuary where the men were praying and gave a Dvar Torah from the Bimah. Is this okay? 5). After the meal, the Bat Mitzvah gave a piano recital for the guests, male and female in the social hall. Is it okay for women to perform on musical instruments in front of men? I am very confused because this is the first I have seen Bat Mitzvot before in an Orthodox Shul. Is this permissible? Thank you very much!!!
Answer
Answered by Aaron Abadi1) no 2) no 3) not a major problem, but if it is during the Amidah/Shemoneh Esrey, it certainly distracts you from your concentration. I feel uncomfortable with all the singing in our synagogues. It started with these beautiful words enhanced with a tune that brought the words home. Many prayers today still are like that. That is fine, but most of the singing by Ashkenazim especially drown out all the words and take away their meaning completely. In many Shuls they're singing "Kel Adon" every Shabbat, just as they're missing the proper time to say Kriat Shema. They think that God is so thrilled about the beautiful song that he'll let it go this time. 4) no 5) no ......and neither is that barbaric ritual called a "Mitzvah Tance," when done in full process. AA