Question:
Kvod HaRav, I was in a shul this past Shabbos where the rav made a siyum on Seder Moed in the shul. The shul is in a school auditorium, and the tables with food were arranged on the women’s side of the mechitzah. Because it was Parshas Zachor, the women’s section was full. The men went into the women’s section where there was separate seating. The rav made the siyum and one of the men said the Kaddish. Being that Kaddish is a dvar sheh’bekedusha, and the men and women were on the same side together in a shul with no mechitza between them, I was wondering if it is permissible to do so.
Answer:
Thank you for your question.
This that a mechitzah is needed is not by any davar shebikidusha, as we see by every levaya, they say kaddish even though there isn’t a mechitzah. Rather the idea is that in a shul of a public place when the they are davening, then there is a need for a mechitzah.
Sources:
See Igros Moshe O:CH 1-39,41,43, 5-12(1).
