The Purpose Of The Jewish-Synagogue-Barrier - Letting The Animal Loose - Football In Central Park

A number of years ago I heard a speech from a rabbi who explained during the course of his speech, why the mechitza in his shul is made in such a way that the men and women can see each other.

"We believe that the genders should be aware of each other as they daven". I was [and still am] shocked by his convoluted logic. That is EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE of the purpose of the mechitza. During davening men are NOT supposed to be thinking of women. We all have a nefesh habehemis [animal soul] and we try to keep it locked up in the stable during davening [it comes out in full force as we play tackle football on Sunday afternoons in Central Park]. Being "aware" of women in full sight is, in Talmudic terms אפוכי מטרתא - the opposite of the goal we are trying to achieve. OF COURSE we are davening for the women as well - but that doesn't mean that we should be able to see them.

Turns out that this rabbi [admittedly] had many many failings in the areas of tzniyus - למעשה.

I am not surprised.