At what age does kol isha apply to a woman?

It is forbidden for a man to listen to a woman (other than his wife, daughter, mother or sister) sing. This applies to any woman starting from the age of eleven, whether she is single or married, Jewish or non-Jewish. It also applies to relatives (other than those enumerated above). The prohibition includes both live and recorded singing. A group of girls who are on a trip are permitted to sing even when their driver is a Jewish male. It is assumed that he is focusing on his task of driving and is not paying attention to the singing. While he is parked, however, singing is forbidden. A man is permitted to listen to a woman talk if it does not bring him to improper thoughts.

ס"ק יז; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו 34,38,39 40,42,43

May one say Shema if he hears his daughter singing?

Aside from the above prohibition, there is a halacha that when a man is saying a davar shebekedusha, he may not hear any woman sing – not even his wife or daughter.  Bedieved, if one did hear a woman sing, he should repeat Kriyas Shema without the brochos. Some say that this halacha applies to girls as young as three, while others say that it begins to apply only when a girl starts to appear feminine. Under pressing circumstances, when there is a woman singing and one is unable to stop her or to leave the location, he may say a davar shebekedusha. He should attempt to focus only on what he is saying and not on the singing.  

סעיף ג' ס"ק יז ביאורים ומוספים דרשו 34 33

Is changing a baby permitted in front of a mezuzah?

The prohibition of saying a davar shebekedusha in front of an ervah also applies to the ervah of a non-Jew or child. According to the Shulchon Aruch, it begins even with a baby. Rema rules that it only begins with a boy from age nine and a girl from age three. Some poskim say that l’chatchilah one should be stringent like the Shulchan Aruch. According to this view, l’chatchilah one should not expose the ervah of a baby in front of a mezuzah. Many poskim hold that a davar shebekedusha should not be recited in front of the ervah of an animal.

סעיף ד ס"ק יט-כג ביאורים ומוספים דרשו 49

• 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.

• 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 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. 

• If a person closes his eyes, can he say a davar shebekedusha in front of an ervah?

• Maintaining cleanliness when saying a davar shebekedusha



• Is stationary tzoah like tzoah which is being carried?