Maris Ayin - In Private

QUESTION: Does the prohibition of maris ayin apply even if no one is watching?

ANSWER: The Talmud cites many activities which are prohibited because of maris ayin. For example, the Gemara (Beitza 9a) writes that one may not carry a ladder on Yom Tov, since this gives the impression that one is going to fix the roof. Likewise, one may not hang wet clothing on Shabbos in the sun to dry, since it gives the impression that the clothing was washed on Shabbos. The Gemara adds an additional caveat. Whatever the rabbis forbade because of maris ayin is forbidden even in one’s innermost chamber (in private). The rabbis forbade these actions across the board, even when the reason for the rule seemingly no longer applies.

The Magen Avrohom (OC 301:56) notes that this added stringency, that activities prohibited due to maris ayin are prohibited even in private, applies only in cases where one might be suspected of transgressing a Torah prohibition. However, if the potential suspicion would be that one violated a rabbinic prohibition, such an action is permitted in private (see also Tosfos, Kesubos 60a s.v. mema’achan).

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.