Q. Dear Rov. After I get married, during the days of Sheva Brochos, I know that as a Chassan I should not be by myself, but constantly accompanied by my new wife or a Shomer (keeper). If I have a necessary business meeting I have to attend, can I have my non-Jewish lawyer accompany me?
A. Talmud (Brochos 24b) and Rema (Shulchan Aruch E.H. 64: 1) mention and rule that a Chassan and his Kallah during the Seven Days after their wedding, should be not left alone. The reason given is to protect them from the Mazikim hazardous spirits.
Poskim disagree in our case. Yoshiv Yitzchak (61) quotes Derech Emunah that a Gentile cannot serve as a ‘Shomer’ or guardian for this task. However, he disagrees and permits.
Other Poskim also disagree, and comment that it depends on the protection given directly by Hashem to his Chosen Nation.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that when in need one can be lenient specially in our days, when we assume that the damaging power of the ‘Mazikim’ has been diminished.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
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