Israel's Chief Rabbi, the Rishon LeZion, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, addressed last night in his weekly lecture the phenomenon of "family beach" – in which complete families, both women and men, go together to the beach dressed modestly, and he stated that it is an act of "licentiousness."
The one who raised the issue with Rabbi Yosef is Rabbi David Naki – who was the guest speaker at the evening lecture at the The Yazidis Synagogue. After Rabbi Naki warned against mixed-gender beach outings, Rabbi Yosef spoke about the severity of the matter.
Rabbi Yosef said: "During the 'bein hazmanim' (intermediate days between semesters), people go out for kayaking, to the Sea of Galilee, and there are all sorts of licentious activities. This goes against halakha (Jewish law). Even the 'family beach' is against halakha."
Rabbi Yosef continued, "Today, there are yeshivas during the 'bein hazmanim' that will take note of those young men who study and not go to places where there are licentious activities."
