On this subject again, it seems strange that there would be a specific location for the possibility of a son of whatever age having thoughts of his father's procreating (at an age when he knows what that is), i.e. the merchatz or mikveh. Because in Even Ezer 21 of the Shulchan Aruch we see that until the age of 13 a boy may be in the company of his parents without clothes on, unless the mother is embarrassed. Well, from that scenario of people being together like that, it is inevitable that a younger child of 10 or 12 or 13 would figure out procreation, especially if they are all sleeping in the same bed, and awaken while their parents are procreating. And even without that, it is highly likely that an 11 or 12 year old would already know enough about it, yet it is not forbidden to remain in bed together and to see each other naked, even his own mother. I am not making any judgments because my view is whatever the halacha permits is fine with me. I just don't understand why there would be this restriction on the merchatz when the son would be certainly able to have the same thoughts under the other scenario of Even Ha'ezer or any other circumstance, since according to halacha (see Igros Moshe Yoreh De'ah 47 and 68) a person can be naked in the privacy of his own home (alone or with his wife), and presumably with his sons as well, or any other males since there is no erva issue (except in davening and brachas). Thanks

David Goldman, USA

Thank you.

However, there still would be situations under the case where families slept together that the son would see his father at home. So presumably that view of Rashi would not apply only in the merchatz davka.

David G.