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Tue, 07 Sep 2010  |  28 Elul 5770        
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Halakhah at the Gym

25/06/2010

Dear Rabbi Simon, I have recently joined the gym and wanted to ask a few basic halachos: 1. Is it permissible to not wear ones kippah when working out? 2. Are there any guidelines for shemirat enayim? For example if one is on a treadmill and a woman dressed in revealing or form-fitting exercise attire gets on the next treadmill along does one have to get off the treadmill? Thanks, Mark


25/06/2010
Dear Mark,
Kippah in the gym: IMO, while it is permissible to remove one's kippah while working out in the gym, it is not praiseworthy to do so. There is no necessity to take it off, and it is simple enough to secure it in place while using the equipment, etc. This is particularly so for one in a position of communal leadership/prominence, who ipso facto is a role model for others. If your gym has a pool...then you can take off your kippah.

Shemirat enayim: This is a judgement call, and depends on one's susceptibility to distraction (if I can put it that way). If it is a simple matter to move to another treadmill, e.g. you are just getting started and another machine is easily available, then yes you should. If you are in the middle of your kilometres, you may not be required to interrupt. Obviously you should seek to minimize your exposure to (e.g. avert your gaze from) the female users of the gym generally, and concentrate on your exercising. An i-pod can be very useful for this. Download shiurim and you're all set.

I hope this is helpful. Happy running, climbing, biking, lifting, stretching, etc. TeamKesher at the triathlon next year?

Best wishes
rs

 
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