Guarding one’s eyes properly

As we have learned, a person may not say a davar shebekedusha in front of an exposed area (which is otherwise usually covered) of a woman’s body. This halacha applies even if he is not gazing at her and even if she is his wife. Gazing at a woman other than one’s wife, daughter or mother is forbidden even when one is not saying a davar shebekedusha, and even when the gaze is restricted to a part of her body which is not usually covered (e.g. face, hands, or fingers). Briefly glancing at an exposed area which is usually covered is forbidden as well.

סימן עה ס"ק ז ביאורים ומוספים דרשו 17

In what situations must a married woman cover her hair?

A married woman must cover her hair when she is walking through the street. According to some poskim, she may have her hair uncovered when she is home or in her courtyard. Others disagree, and the accepted custom has evolved to follow this opinion. Indeed, the Zohar writes strongly about the blessings of one who is always careful to cover her hair and the misfortunes of those who do not. Since it has become customary to always cover the hair, it is considered a lack of tznius for a woman not to follow the accepted custom.

סעיף ב' ס"ק ט וי"ד ביה"ל ד"ה מחוץ

Is wearing a wig permitted?

Since a married woman’s hair is supposed to be covered, it is considered an ervah with respect to saying a davar shebekedusha. Even a husband may not say a davar shebekedusha when his wife’s hair is exposed. Many poskim say that just a slight exposure of hair (less than a tefach) is considered ervah. Others are lenient and say that only a tefach is an issue. Rema rules that hair which is detached from the scalp (e.g. a wig) is not ervah. In his opinion, a woman may wear a wig even if it is made from her own hair. Some Achronim are stringent and forbid a woman from wearing a wig. A woman may not be lenient in a location where women are stringent, since people might suspect her of not covering her hair.

סעיף ב' ס"ק טו ביאורים ומוספים דרשו 24

• A person may only daven Shemoneh Esrei when he is fully clothed. One who is standing before the King must be in a state of awe, which would call for him to be fully covered.

• Ervah includes any area on a woman’s body which is generally covered. One is forbidden to say a davar shebekedusha in front of an exposed body part of this type, even if it is his wife’s or his daughter’s.

• The poskim disagree on whether closing one’s eyes when facing an ervah is sufficient to allow one to say a davar shebekedusha. A person may be lenient if there is no option to turn away.

• At what age does kol isha begin to apply?

• May one say Shema if he hears his daughter singing?

• Is changing a baby permitted in front of a mezuzah?