Tinted glass mechitzah at Chabad Flamengo, North of Toronto.
Separate seating area for men and women during davening is an acient pratice, which goes all the way back to the following procedures in Beis HaMikdash.
Once during a festivites of Simchas Beis HaShoeviah, when it was not possible to keep the women separate from the men. Rabbis back then were concerned that this would lead to Kalus Rosh and this would spoiled the holy service.
To prevent this from happening, the balcony was a perfect place for women to be apart from the men, and still be able to watch the celebration. The Talmud tells us that a need for a balcony was locked up as crucial construction which was approved, eventhough every change was forbidden as it would modify the orginal structure of Beis HaMikdash.
Following which our Sages has set as example in the Beis HaMikdash, Shuls all over the world were built with a separate section for men and women. Some Shuls having a balcony like the Beis HaMikdash, while other Shuls having a mechitzah on the same floor.
At the time it seems that the mechitzah was just taken for granted, as it was not even mentioned in the Shulchan Aruch.
When the Haskalah ( Jewish Enlightenment ) took over Europe over 200 years ago, a massive attack was launced on Judaism, on religious observance including Shabbos, Kashrus, Bris Milah and many more.
Mechilzos in Shuls were also comprimised and done with under protest of the Rabbonim, who explained that this would be a desecration and prohibited davening in any Shul were the traditional mechitzah was removed.
Jews who emigrated to the US in the late 1800s built modern Temples and continue their practice of mixed seating, which was halachically unacceptable.
In the free and easygoing nature of America, even the more traditional Shuls began to question whether it was necessary around the measurements of the mechitzah and if it was halachically required. The reason for the balcony in the Beis HaMikdash to be able to answer this, we first need to examen the purpose of the mechitzah.
A mechitzah was built in every Shul, with a womens section, a balcony in the back or on the side of the Shul, this was totally separate from the men. Rabbi Feinstein reasoned that separating men and women during davening is a Biblical obligation which follows halachah as mentioned before. Although he agrees to maintain the traditional mechitzah, he also says that a lower mechitzah is permitted accourding to halachah.
As long as the mechitzah is high enough to block any view and communication between the men and women's section.
Kalus rosh prevails men from freely gaze at women. It interfere with the men’s concentration and profanes the sanctity of the Beis HaMikdash. By seating the women on a balcony over the men's section and by relegating the women to a balcony and physically separating them from “mixing” with the men.The question, as it applies to present day mechitzos, why the separation ?
I want to sit next to my husband, is often heard. But in all reality do we do everything together, or do men and women do nothing apart from each other? We do and it doesn't take away our identity away as a couple.
In " Looking over the Mechitzah " there is even an better metaphor " The changing room " when men and women undress there is a separation, each in their own room to undress. The mechitzah in Shul is a separation where men and women undress spiritually, and there is also a vulnerability and an intimacy that needs to be guarded and protected; and this is why we have a partion in the form of the mechitzah that separates men and women in the synagogue as it is needed.
Maybe it is not so much the mechitzah, but rather the four brick walls of the home. Unfortunately contemporary women, Jewish or not, have disconnected from the home.
There is a steel-plated mechitzah blocking women, and men and children and families, from entering the sanctuary of Judaism, the home.
After all is said and done, what really separates the man and woman in Judaism is not the mechitzah; it is her elevated level of holiness.
🔹️Read here " Looking over the Mechitzah "
🔹️What is Wrong with Mixed Services ? Read here
🔹️A woman shares her apreciation during service in
" My Beloved Mechitzah " - The Jewish women. Org
Floor mechitzah