Explanation of The Book of Divorce: Volume 3

Thus, the presence of a third person negates their being alone, but thisthird person must be sensible and vigilant enough so his presence canbe a guard against temptation, or else evil would be done while he isunaware. This is why the third person cannot be a little child, even ifhe has developed some perception [i.e. as of seven years of age] as this isnot enough to negate the meaning of “alone with her” unless he is anexceptionally smart child who is keenly aware of what goes on aroundhim. Otherwise, a seven year old child is not enough, for the man cangive him anything to play or stay busy with, and then he can say or dowhatever he wants. Thus, there must be a third person in the companywhose presence prevents evil. A ten year old child is apparently enough,for he has started to develop good perception, but he may not be enoughsince some children at this age may not understand this.If a man is with a number of women, this is not a state of being alonewith a woman, for he is not with