Why can't a orthadox jew hug a girl that is 13 year or older?

Question

I am 18 years old and kinda of christian but not really.I guess a true christian would say Im a struggling christian since I still party, and Im on prozac.So anyway my mother is chinese and he side of the family is buddist.My father side of the family are jewish and they often try to convert me in secretive ways.My uncle is orthadox and I remember my father saying he cant hug a female who is 13 or older or a female who has begun their menstral period.Whatever it is please let me know where I got confused

Answer 1

Adult males and females who are not married to one another are not supposed to touch one another in the orthodox Jewish faith. A girl who has reached the age of 13 is considered a woman, and therefore, a man is not supposed to touch her unless he is married to her.

Answer 2

good answer by debra.

I'll try and add a few technical points...

After 12, a girl becomes a woman. So, there are a few issues:

a == restrictions placed on people when they are having emissions. (The bible lists many types of emissions which people can have which would cause ritual impurity. in those situations -- which can happen to men, women, and even inanimate objects -- people try to avoid contact with them.) however, this isn't the real problem.

b == a man is not allowed to have relations with a woman while she is in her menstrual cycle. as said, above 12 a girl is assumed to have begun menstruating, and since we don't consider it polite to ask someone if she's currently having her period, we assume they are and don't touch them (a jewish law that a man shouldn't touch a woman when they are forbidden to each other because touching leads petting which leads us around the bases. that is the letter of the law. in the spirit of the law, we're not supposed to even talk to a lady if we think it'll lead to "issues".)

c == I believe that adults are not supposed embrace children above a certain age (like 6) because it can -- rarely, but unfortunately sometimes -- lead to "issuses". sorry, but I'm less clear on this one. I'm not sure if it s a specific law, or just a custom, or whatever.

and I have no idea why your jewish relatives are trying to convert you. if you're not jewish, then we pretty much never try and encourage converts. we look down on missionizing.


oh, and I hope you get better. depression takes time and alot more to overcome. good luck.

Answer 3

If your uncle is Orthadox and goes by the Mosaic Law then a woman is considered unclean during their menstrual cycle and I believe for a week thereafter and no one should come in contact with them.

Answer 4

Because then she is considered a woman and should be treated with deference and respect. They do not believe any man should touch a woman but her own husband or son.

Answer 5

Never knew that...but that begs another question:
If an orthodox Jew cannot hug a girl who is 13 or older....how do they make MORE orthodox Jews?

Answer 6

they can hug no other woman but their wife. as for the period that is a blood issue. that means they are unclean if they touch you while you are having a period

Answer 7

sounds fair, they should adopt the same practice for Catholic preists only the age would need to be lowered

Answer 8

tell your uncle to go to hell, what does he want you to grow up gay call that girl hugh her and do what you will