Q) Is there any heter for the yichud (seclusion) of a man with three ladies at night?
A) Regarding yichud of a man with several ladies, the Shulchan Aruch (Even Ho’ezer 22:5) forbids yichud of one man even with many ladies. The Remo (ibid) quotes a lenient opinion that one man may be secluded with many ladies, unless the man’s occupation involves ladies [because if this is so then there is more reason for concern].
The Chelkas Mechokek (s.k. 8) defines “many ladies” as three.
Previously, in the same se’if, the Remo rules that a lady may be secluded with two men, during the day and in town. However, if they will be secluded at night or out of town, then a lady may only be secluded with an additional man (i.e. with three men).
Regarding the opposite scenario of one man secluded with many ladies, we do not find a clear distinction in the Poskim as to whether an additional lady is required at night, or out of town to permit yichud.
There is now room for speculation: Do we apply the same reasoning from the situation of one lady with several men – where we find that an additional individual is required at night or out of town to permit yichud – to the opposite scenario of one man with several ladies, and subsequently require an additional lady at night or out of town to permit yichud? Or, since we have no clear source for such a distinction, do we apply the leniency of the Remo (i.e. one man with three ladies) to all situations?
Rav Moshe Feinstein in Igros Moshe (Even Ho’ezer vol. 4; response 65:20) discusses this situation, and concludes that since there is no conclusive proof either way, one should only be lenient [and allow yichud of one man with three ladies at night or out of town] in extenuating circumstances.
[It should be emphasized that this only applies to Ashkenazim who follow the Remo who is lenient regarding yichud of one man with several ladies. For Sephardim who follow the Shulchan Aruch there is no such leniency and one man may not be secluded even with many ladies.]