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I think someone in another question here (or on another site?) said he was told by his "chassan teacher" not to look at his wife unclothed. It seems like this is not the real halacha to me, or at least not everyone holds it. What are the opinions?

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The tag of clothing seems to be a little out of place this time ;)... – Yehoshua Dec 31 '12 at 8:42

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It is definitely allowed according to halachah; this teacher was probably speaking about what he felt was the pious and holy way to behave. But the truth is that one must be extremely careful when trying to act "beyond the letter of the law," that he should not damage his Sholom Bayis in the process. The Chazon Ish in his "Iggeres Kodesh" (cited in Mishkan Yisroel page 50) puts it as follows:

ההסתכלות באשתו מותר מפני שרצון התורה באהבה ביניהם, והאהבה היא ההכנה למצות עונה העתידה

In other words, the primary and overriding goal is to foster a healthy and comfortable relationship. Any practices that are done on account of "perishus" and "kedushah" should not detract from that.

(I would hope that the aforementioned chassan teacher conveyed these nuances.)

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It should be mentioned that the view of certain chassidus (most notably Ger) leans heavily towards "perishus" behavior. But as SimchasTorah pointed out, this is really not the proper forum for extended discussion about these matters. – Dave Jan 26 '11 at 3:39
Where is this in the Chazzon Ish itself? – Yehoshua Dec 31 '12 at 8:43
@Yehoshua - If you mean Sefer Chazon Ish, it's not there. I don't know where (or even if) the Iggeres Kodesh is printed. – Dave Dec 31 '12 at 17:15
Thanks. I did some research and saw this brought down in other places as well (but nothing "inside" in terms of the Chazzon Ish's writings. – Yehoshua Dec 31 '12 at 20:48
@Yehoshua - Are you doubting that this Iggeres was written by the Chazon Ish? Please understand that the topic is quite sensitive, and is not something that you'd find in "regular" seforim. – Dave Jan 1 at 3:25
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