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In todays day and age where we no longer have homes with dirt floors:

  • do you still need to cover your feet when making a bracha or davening?
  • If so are socks enough?
  • does it depend on the custom of the place you live?
  • If not would that only apply to carpeted areas?
  • is there a difference between being in a private home versus a public area?
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perhaps document as part of the question a source that feet must be covered? – josh waxman Feb 22 at 12:30
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2 Answers

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I believe the Chayei Adam says in places where women go barefoot that's fine, in places where they're usually covered they should be covered.

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Isn't that related to general tzniut not making a bracha or davening? – none Feb 22 at 14:36
@Moshe, correct, I think I was confusing two questions here. A, I should be properly dressed (out of respect) when I daven, so what footwear is required. B, I shouldn't daven if there's an "exposed" woman nearby, what's "exposed" with regards to feet? – Shalom Feb 22 at 15:27
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I've found that a lot of this depends on the culture around a person.

My Zeidi for example, would not allow people to go around with only socks on under any circumstances. And a Bracha could never be said in slippers. I imagine this has a lot to do with his 'proper' upbringing.

R. Aviner today, will never allow a person to go barefoot, but slippers and socks are ok.

Having your feet covered is about more than just "dirt floors". It is also a sense of dirtiness of the floor (you wouldn't eat off of it), as well as issues of respect and dignity.

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My father z"l did not like us to go around without shoes. I felt that his dsailike was because mourners do not wear leather shoes. – Avrohom Yitzchok Feb 22 at 14:27
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@AvrohomYitzchok this was the same reason I learned - if somebody had a source, it would make a great answer. – yoel Feb 22 at 15:49
@AvrohomYitzchok That falls under ideas of human dignity and respect. I was told because of mourners, because "people" don't walk without shoes, only animals do, because they are smelly, and a myriad of other reasons. – avi Feb 22 at 17:19
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