Q. Due to security measures, the airports are going to be putting in x-ray scanners that show people without their clothes. Is this going to be a problem for frum women?

A. Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a suggests that women should choose the pat-down option rather than the full body scan because of tzneius issues. This is similar to the Psak of women not swimming in a pool where a male life-guard (non Jewish) is on duty, as it creates a feeling of immodesty on the bathers. When the pat-down option is not available, or it would cause severe hardship such as loosing a flight, we may rely on “Asukim Bemelachton” or being occupied on their work. This Heter is commonly used in medical practice (Even Haezer 23-3, and Poiskim et al), as well as the fact that apparently the scan shows only outlines and the monitor is placed in the privacy of another room.

It is still premature to offer a definite Psak on this issue as many details of how the security scans will eventually be implemented, and how they actually work are yet unknown and privacy issues have yet to be resolved.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a