A mechitza (Hebrew: מחיצה, partition or division, pl.: מחיצות, mechitzot) in Judaism is a partition, particularly one that is used to separate men and women. The rationale in halakha (Jewish law) for a partition dividing men and women is derived from the Babylonian Talmud. [1]

In some synagogues, instead of being divided by a mechitzah, the women’s section is in the balcony and the men’s section is on the main floor of the sanctuary. It is unclear exactly when mechitzahs came into use, and the (Jewish law) issues are equally ambiguous.

At the Western Wall Plaza, the mechitzah divides the thousands of male and female worshippers who stream to the sacred spot at all times of night and day. Separate seating in a synagogue helps ensure that the main focus is on the prayers and not on the opposite gender. There is an ancient source to this separation.

The mekhitza is a divider between men and women in a synagogue. Sometimes it is simply a physical separation between the two sexes, such as a room divider or curtain. Sometimes the women's section is in a balcony. The basis for a mekhitza is from the Ezrat Nashim (women's section) part of the Temple.

With the advent of the haskalah (Jewish Enlightenment) in Western Europe just over 200 years ago, and its wholesale attack on religious observance (including Shabbos, kashrus, milah, etc.), mechitzos in shuls were also compromised or done away with over the vigorous protest of Rabbonim [3] who decried this desecration and forbade daven ing in an...

Jewish texts and source sheets about Mechitza from Torah, Talmud and other sources in Sefaria's library.

Jul 3, 2024 · Prevent forbidden sight: Some Rishonim and Poskim record that the reason behind the building of the women’s section balcony in the temple, and consequently the reason for needing a Mechitza in a Shul, is in order to prevent the men from staring at the women.

A “mechitza” is a physical barrier between men and women in an Orthodox synagogue which divides the space into two separate sections. Mechitzas often vary in terms of size and placement. They can also be made of a variety of materials including “curtains, a screen, shelving, or plants.”

This article will examine the roots of the mechitza as it pertains to prayer and synagogues 1, and argue that rather than discriminatory against women, it is a structure that helps us to empower our relationship with Hashem.

Feb 26, 2020 · Previously, we learned that, overall, the mechitza allows men and women to participate in communal prayer together in an atmosphere of seriousness and sanctity. Specific approaches to the mechitza ‘s purpose include: Preventing men’s inappropriate gazing at (and thinking about) women.