Article: Glove-free Mitzvos

 

The Gemora tells of a rather finicky Kohen, Yisachar Ish K’far Barka’ee, who would put on gloves before performing the avodah (holy work) in the Beis Hamikdash. Besides for this conduct being a bizayon – a disgrace – to the holy karbanos (as he openly displayed his reluctance to touch the karbanos), this posed an issue of a chatzitzah as well, as no substance was allowed to intervene between the Kohen’s hand and the holy vessels. Thus, it was a chillul kodshei shamayim, a desecration to the sanctity of the holy sacrifices. (Although at times one may cover the hand when performing a mitzvah, a distinction is drawn between an item used to protect the mitzvah object or gloves used to protect the hand.)

Likewise, we find by the performance of several other mitzvos that one must refrain from wearing gloves, as it is a disgrace to the mitzvah. A person reading from the Torah, as well as the individual receiving the aliyah, may not wear gloves. A chosson can’t wear a glove on his hand when he places the ring on the kallah’s finger. One who is holding kos shel brachah, the cup of wine being used while reciting Kiddush or bentching, should not wear gloves.

A shochet may not wear gloves while slaughtering animals. Similarly, a mohel, while performing a bris, should not wear gloves (See Halacha #210). Leniency, however, may be granted where health or hygienic factors pose a concern.

While praying, or at the very least, during shmone esrei, it is not proper to wear gloves. Some poskim forbid this as it is derech shachatz v’gaavah, it has the appearance of arrogance, while others state that this is not the appropriate way to stand before a respected individual, and, while davening shmone esrei, one must stand like before a king.

 

Sources:

See here:

Is one able to shake Lulav and Esrog with gloves on his hands?

 

 

From Halacha2Go Archives
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