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

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Sitting on couch

4 September, 2004

Question:

When we got married we learned that a sectional couch was okay to sit on during, niddah, at either end….but now the review classes Ive attended say that some deem sitting on a couch together "too cozy". What do you think? Thanks.


Answer:

When the wife is niddah, a couple may not sit together on a seat where the movement of one person can be felt by the other. This could apply to sitting together on a couch. But it is not the case for a sturdy sectional couch if they are on different sections. Therefore, a couple may sit on the same couch if it is sectional, or has separate pillows along the seating surface, as long as they are not sitting close enough to touch.

The coziness depends on what they are doing. If they are sitting with a group of people, there should be no problem. If they are home alone in front of the fireplace with romantic music, that is another story. Therefore, it may or may not be appropriate to sit together on a sectional couch, depending on the circumstances. The couple should use common sense in each situation.


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