Question:Is there any justification for a kallah not to cover her hair until after the chuppah? Introduction:We first need to define a few terms: Erusin (betrothal) is the term used to describe kiddushin, whereby a man designates a lady as his wife, typically by giving her a ring in front of two witnesses. After erusin/kiddushin the lady is an eishes ish and forbidden to all; but is still not permitted to live with her husband. If at this stage the couple do not wish to continue with marriage, the lady requires a get. Discussion:It is clear in the Poskim that a nesu’ah is obligated to cover her hair. This obligation is min hatorah. The first aspect that we would like to discuss is if an arusah (i.e. a lady who has received kiddushin but has not undergone nisu’in) is obligated to cover her hair or not. According to the Shvus Ya’akov we can extrapolate that not only is an arusa not obligated to cover her hair, but even a nesu’ah after her chuppah is also not obligated to cover her hair for the rest of the day (Rav Falk in Levusha shel Torah Siman 27). If this was not the case, how could an arusa enter her chupah with uncovered hair, if immediately during the chuppah itself she will become a nesu’ah and immediately obligated to cover her hair (according to most Poskim who do not require yichud shero’uy lebi’ah to complete nisu’in)? We are therefore forced to say that according to the Shvus Ya’akov not only is an arusa exempted from the obligation to cover hair, but even a nesu’ah on the day of the chasuna is also exempted. However, the Mahari Halevi (a brother of the Taz) in Siman 9 and the Beis Meir (Even Ho’ezer Siman 21) both maintain that an arusa is obligated to cover her hair. Obviously, a nesu’ah on the day of her chasuna is also included in this and obligated to cover her hair as soon as kiddushin has occurred. Conclusion: Since there are Poskim (the Shvus Ya’akov and others) who are lenient regarding a kallah not being obligated to cover her hair under the chuppah, one who has such a minhag can be lenient in line with this view. However, a family who do not have such a minhag should not be lenient, since many Poskim (including Rav Akiva Eiger and the Beis Meir) rule stringently. |
Chuppah
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