Mechitza
Sign in to savethumbnail|Separation between men and women at the Western Wall A mechitza (, partition or division, pl.: , ) in Judaism is a partition, particularly one that is used to separate men and women.
~16 min read
Article
13 sectionsContents
- Origin
- Talmudic era
- Medieval period
- Separate seating in synagogue
- Height
- Designs
- Uses unrelated to gender separation
- Eruv
- Sukkah
- See also
- Footnotes
- References
- External links
thumbnail|Separation between men and women at the Western Wall A mechitza (, partition or division, pl.: , ) in Judaism is a partition, particularly one that is used to separate men and women.
The rationale in halakha (Jewish law) for a partition dividing men and women is derived from the Babylonian Talmud. A divider in the form of a balcony was established in the Temple in Jerusalem for the Simchat Beit HaShoeivah ceremony, a time of great celebration and festivity. The divider was first established to preserve modesty and attention during this time.