Albany, NY – U.S. Sen.-designee Kirsten Gillibrand, D-Greenport has been on a whirlwind schedule since Paterson appointed her to the Senate on Friday
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Gillibrand said her task ahead is to learn about people throughout New York state.
She learned something new on Monday when she came to Rabbi Hannoch Hecht in the receiving line as she arrived at a forum.
Gillibrand stopped and asked him the proper way to greet him, since married Orthodox Jewish men are forbidden from shaking hands with someone of the opposite sex.
“Just shake your head,” the rabbi said, as Gillibrand nodded her greeting.
what a kidush hashem!!!!!!! so buitiful
Only MARRIED Jewish men? Why can they never get it right?
I’m not sure how this is a Kiddush HaShem, but I do give the new senator credit for asking.
beautiful
thank g-d for Chabad and standing firm in your principals, it’s so sad to see how many other frumme orthodox people compromise on this very important issur.
Halavai this story would really get plastered in all the newspapers.
This is always such an uncomfortable situation for both sides if the woman doesn’t know there is even an issue.
Very nice and inspiring to all of Klall Yisroel. Thank you Chabad for being there to teach all of us how to deal in a situation like this.
Wow that was quick, keep up the good work!!! I heard she was Pro Israel at the forum using Israel as her first example of a country that is “going green” with electric cars…
Wow that was quick, keep up the good work!!! I heard she was Pro Israel at the forum using Israel as her first example of a country that is “going green” with electric cars…
This misunderstanding happens all the time. It is sometimes our fault. I know I am guilty myself. Often I say things like, “I hope you are not offended, but my wife and I touch no person of the opposite gender other than each other.”
I say this, because often there are less observant Jews nearby who do not observe this, and they tend to be “offended” when I say it is forbidden for any Jewish man to touch a woman, etc., After all, their “Rabbi” shakes their wife’s hand.
So, I got used to saying my usual less “offensive” thing. But, I can see where a misunderstanding can arise.
Maybe I need to say with shock, “Ich bin nisht kein Sheigatz! How dare you think that I would touch another woman.” (smile)
But, also, one of the reasons I use the softer approach is that I once was going in to greet an important female politician. Her secretary reached out first to shake my hand. I said, “Please understand, but we are not permitted to touch any other woman.”
The woman turned to the politician, and said, with distaste in her voice, “They are not allowed to touch a gentile!”
The politician had a shocked and offended look, while my mouth dropped open at the silly misinterpretation.
Though I tried to correct it, I felt they never believed the truth.
So, for years I have used the “I hope you are not offended, but my wife and I touch no person of the opposite gender other than each other.” and all I get are smiles and positive remarks like, “Oh, how romantic.”
But, this story is an example of how my words could easily lead to misunderstandings.
I gues I need to work on a better wording.
I understood that there is no issur in shaking hands with a non-jewish woman because there is no issue with nidda. Someone please explain.
There is no harm in shaking hands. Some poskim permit it in business situations. It is very odd and strange to not shake hands. This issur serves no purpose and it makes Jews look ridiculous.
#25 that is the most rediculous thing I have ever heard! Just because there are certain gedarim (fences) around the Torah doesn’t mean that A will lead to B will lead to C, etc. It’s like saying if you patch your child in the tush lightly then eventually you will start beating up people and then eventually kill them. Not embarrasing someone in public especially if you have a big yarlmeka and beard is more important than a simple meaningless handshake in front of tens of people.
#24 and #27 your flippant comments regarding such an important issue are reprehensible.
For the others who are interested – Obviously I try to avoid the situation alltogether. If that is not possible I simply say, “I can’t shake your hand for religious reasons. Please do not take any personal offense.” I never had any problem.
The more people are makpid the easier it becomes for everyone else.
Chazak Chazak Vnischazeik.
The ignorance here is amazing. And the “feelings” issues are typical of ignorant people.
I heard from a chashuva jid that the chachmei germania held it is mutar to shake a womens hand as its a form of formality. I’m no possek please elaborate if someone knows more on this issue.
But as always kol hakavod to chabad.
Chanochie, and AB going in ur Zeidehs’ footsteps,, Mesiras Nefesh today means doing what is right, even if means putting oneself into an uncomfortable position to uphold Halacha,, and you guys are epitomizing it…. I bet the Rebbe, and your Zeidehs, JJ and Reb Meir, are smiling in Gan Eden today!
Good Job Shea,,,, You have what to be proud of, in your children’s Chinuch! May the Eibishter Bentch you all with all the Rebbe’s Brochos AD BLI DAI!
The point of the story is that she had the sechel and finesse to ask first, she most probably did a little homework. Kennedy on the other hand was brought up among her promiscuous family who have been known to grope women and worse, so she might have been offended by a refusal to have physical contact with her
I hope the Senator continues using sechel and becomes an asset to the senate. NY has enough buffoons in DC like Chucky Schmucky Shumer and Charlie Rangel whose fancy clothes make pimp threads look like schmattas
This fine senator has a 100% record in accordance with NRA . A fine “patriotic” association
Negiah is asur when it’s derech chiba. It is not clear that a momentary handshake is derech chiba. I am not sure Reb Moshe holds it’s asur.
Regardless of whether you agree with a prohibition on man shaking woman’s hand – the very positive point in this episode is:
Some orthodox Jews have such a custom – and their adherence to it is so strong that it is well known enough for a NY senator.
And she did well in her representation of her country – of free people – by showing respect for this custom and asking how to greet them as they deem approrpriate.
Thank you 66 your answer was really the one we cna be most proud of. You say it the way it should be and was in this situation. Thanks again