Kol Isha: excellent sources in English

[Robert Cohen <rlcm17...>]

Though I've enjoyed (after catching up) the discussion on kol isha--and, 
frankly, I find the idea that such a discussion doesn't belong on this list 
a little bizarre!--I've also been struck by the considerable ignorance 
reflected of the actual Jewish legal background on this issue.  "There is 
[no] room or opportunity for discussion"--Wrong (or, as the kids say, 
"NOT").  "This is an inflexible ruling and there are no mixed choirs for 
Orthodox"--wrong on both counts.  Jonathan has helped, much, w/ some 
sources, and Bob W., in his usual sensitive fashion, discerned that there 
was apparntly "some differentiation" (even) within Orthodox circles.  
Indeed. Though I'm decidedly _not_ an apologist or defender on this issue, 
about which I'm in reality quite impatient (it seems to me that in my 
lifetime, women have been far more unhinged by the singing of Sinatra, 
Elvis, the Beatles, David Bowie, Tom Jones [!!], etc., etc., etc., than 
_any_ man has been by a woman's singing!)--and, though, obviously, those 
objecting to (variably applied--see below) kol isha restrictions, or 
personally injured  by them, may well retain their objections and anger, 
still, our discussion should be an informed one. Herewith, three superb 
sources in English on the sources and diverse interpretation and application 
of kol isha:                                                                 
                                                    1) Saul Berman, "Kol 
Isha," article in the Rabbi Joseph H. Lookstein Memorial Volume--I will look 
into wider availability.  A comprehensive treatment of the exegesis of this 
concept; Rabbi Berman, with characteristic subtlety and lucidity, explores 
the precise nature, context, and scope of what restrictions have been 
imposed, when, by whom, on what basis, and w/ what (often substantial) 
dissent and (quite liberal to quite restrictive) variability--as well as 
possible grounds for suspension of such restrictions altogether. R. Berman 
elucidates the thin basis in the Talmud, and in the history and origins of 
kol isha, for the restrictions that have developed (and, indeed, perhaps, 
for much or most of the accreted law of kol isha) and refers to the 
existence of substantial dissent re such stringencies as listening to 
recorded women's voices and mixed choirs.                                    
                                                   2) Reuven Kimelman, 
cassette recording of presentation at 1997 International Conference on 
Feminism and Orthodoxy:  a typically (for this brilliant teacher) rigorous 
analysis of the exact and variable meanings and implications (e..g, for 
zemirot, Megilat Esther) of the sources for kol isha.   Funny in parts, too. 
                                                                             
                    3) David Bleich, Contemporary Halachic Problems, volume 
II, pp. 147-52:  elucidates the substantial variability of Orthodox halachic 
opinions in re, e.g., mixed choirs, mixed singing of zemirot, and listening 
to women's voices on recordings or on the radio.  (Thus, the otherwise 
genial radio guy who would only play tracks from Wolf's CD that had no 
women's voices--even on background harmony vocals--was catering to a very 
stringent, far from normative, view.)  Bleich is, laughably, far from a 
liberal voice in such matters (unlike, e.g., R. Berman), but does expound 
halacha, in my experience, w/ unyielding integrity (as opposed to pandering 
to whatever right-wing political trend has swept the Orthodox world--e.g., 
in re capital punishment); that he demonstrates a wide range of 
proscriptions _proves_ that there is such a range.                           
                                                                             
                              I hope these sources prove useful for those 
interested in studying the issue--and I may have one other one to supply in 
a few days.--Robert Cohen

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