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Various Questions

A few questions for the Rav.

Are you allowed to build a puzzle on shabbos?

If you are in your house with your maid, and you don’t know when your mother is coming home, is that still a problem of yichud? If it is a problem, does unlocking the door help?

What are the halachos of touching/hugging a sister?

Thank you

Answer:

1   Most opinions are stringent, one should refrain, may be lenient for children.  Shemiras Shabbos Khilchisa 16:23, Igros Moshe 1:135

2   If she may really come any minute this would not be Yichud. Unlocking the door is questionable in our day when people don’t commonly walk in without knocking first and should not ideally be relied upon. Pischei Tshuva E:H 22:8

3   Rambam [Isurei Biah 21:6] writes that it is improper although not forbidden as with other Arayos. see Igros Moshe Y:D 2:137

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2 Comments

  1. What is called any minute for the yichud case?
    Let’s say she was away for the day and you don’t know what time she’s coming back so for you it could be any minute but in reality it could be a few hours?

    Thanks

    1. as long as it could be any minute, it’s fine. however this is not so practical as in the age of cellphones etc he may find out any minute that she is more than a few minutes away at which point there will be a prohibition immediately

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