Nishmat's Women’s Health and HalachaIn memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

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Hugging & kissing on onah

31 July, 2008
Question:

You say hugging and kissing are permitted on an onah. I learned that they are not, is this usual or quite a chumra?


Answer:

The Shulchan Aruch (YD 184:2) states that during an onat perishah, one must refrain from intercourse, but hugging and kissing are permitted. However, some opinions in the commentaries there are more stringent. The Bach says that although hugging and kissing are permitted, one who is stringent will be blessed. The Taz is even stricter and says that hugging and kissing are actually forbidden.

Therefore, it is preferable to be stringent, but if it is difficult for you, you may rely on the lenient opinions that permit hugging and kissing. However, most halachic authorities who do permit hugging and kissing allow it only on the condition that it will not lead to hotza'at zera l'vatalah.

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