Most years before the summer, the Rebbe would address the topic of tznius. The following are excerpts from the Rebbe’s Sichos and the Hiskashrus Weekly, respectively.
“The time has arrived (before the summer) when we need to precisely discuss, precisely the matter of Tznius, and even more so the tznius of garments themselves; their length and that the material not be transparent, but rather a garment which covers and conceals. (Note: The Rebbe repeated the word “b’ikar”, translated here as precisely).
How vital is Tznius? This is understood from the commandment, ‘You should be holy, because I, G-d, your G-d, is holy’ (Kedoshim 25:2). When a Jewish person conducts himself with tznius, he has the potential to compare himself to the Almighty, to the sanctity of the Almighty.
As the Maggid of Meztritch explained, by comparing ‘You should be holy’ with ‘Because I, G-d, your G-d, is holy’, this teaches us that through “You should be holy” – by dressing modestly, we become closer and connect to “G-d, your G-d, is holy.”
This relates to both men and women, because the laws of tznius and long garments etc. are relevant to men and women alike.” (12th of Tamuz 5723/1963 Sicha #10)
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A chossid in yechidus asked the Rebbe a question regarding dress length.
The Rebbe: “The longer, the better and more pleasing. I do not want to standardize a size as to how long it should be. Let the local Rabbonim make the decision. One Rav may require an additional centimeter; another may advise to add more centimeters.
But in my opinion it is definite that the minimum garment length while standing, should be long enough that the knees are fully covered when sitting.
Not because a non-Jew in France decided on a new dress style, do Jewish girls need to adhere and follow it.
The prutzim (those who break the law) found another option. They wear a long but tight dress, and that brings about that parts of the body which provoke the yetzer horo very strongly are emphasized, and this simply needs to be stopped.”
(Hiskashrus # 48, page 11 – Korach 5755/1995).
The story of bar Kamtza and how he was treated tells a tale of baseless hatred which even caused the hater financial loss and disrespect to so hate. This is the association model that we are taught. I am certain that the subject in Halochoh of whether a husband should divorce an immodest wife, and when he must undoubtedly divorce her for her immodesty is not cast as “sinas chinom hate”. Similarly the ruling that a rebelling wife should be called-out before the community is not cast as “sinas chinom hate”. Based on Neviim, Yeshayah Perek Gimmel, the well-being of… Read more »
As I fasted today, I sat and reflected on what our fast is all about. Why was our beautiful home in Yerushalayim destroyed? Why did the presence of Hashem leave us? What did we do to drive ourselves into this long bitter golus? I always knew the answer, but I don’t think I understood it as well as I do right now. It was destroyed because we were judgmental of those who did not ACT the way we wanted them to act. We were embarrassed of those who did not DRESS the way that we wanted them to dress. We… Read more »
You are not The Rebbe’s spokesperson to say what follows The Rebbe’s view. Besides, your entire premise is based on a misconception. The shaming is already being done on a regular basis by the person to their self by carrying on in public immodestly. That is the shaming. To compel them with a public announcement to stop shaming their self is Ahavas Yisroel. Only when someone is a tinok shenishba (born in captivity, e.g. secular Jews), is there special consideration given, to approach the subject in an educational manner. HOWEVER, Someone who is rebelling against their community, in public, leading… Read more »
To #20
If your aim is to drive anyone on a tenuous tightrope with their relationship with yiddishkeit right out of our community, then the best way to do that is to do what you’re suggesting; publicly shaming them. I cannot imagine a worse way to approach this problem and its 100% against anything the Rebbe ever said. Please reply to me with whatever proof you have that the Rebbe was for public shaming.
#12 Female modesty has more to do with the affect on fellow women and girls than the affect on men. Immodesty is a declaration of war on fellow women as well as on one’s own humility and self-value. Keep it up. #4 Don’t dress like a peasant, Dress like royalty. Do not follow the contemporary styles of the peasants. Develop a style befitting royalty. Jewish women and girls don’t need peasants to design the style of their dress. A peasant wouldn’t even know what fits a Jewish woman. Jewish women can develop designs that reflect who they intrinsically are regally.… Read more »
You are saying that you want to dress in a way that feels good and looks good. Very age appropriate for a 17 year old. From what I have observed – the teenage girls who put up with dressing in a modest manner choose a certain lifestyle. The ones who want to feel and look good choose an alternate lifestyle. It does not take long until it is obvious that the ones who practiced discipline in their teens are happier adults – where happiness is not measured in good times – but in satisfying activities that can be challenging but… Read more »
What do you mean by DEALT WITH? If you are looking for a quick fix – it is not going to happen. This problem is not new. For many women it is very challenging to dress according to the rules. There is a certain creativity and satisfaction in dressing according to feminine feelings – not according to the rules. Until now – the way this ‘problem’ has been ‘dealt with’ has been ineffective. It is time for people who sincerely want to ‘deal with’ the problem to make an effort to do it right. All I usually see is self-righteous… Read more »
Cannot be more true, but I don’t think the issue is dealt with because everyone is afraid to rock the boat…
Very well put. You should right more, articles and books too.
This is an issue that must be addressed in crown heights and it’s the one major Stira in Chabad and nothing else is worth doing if this issue is not dealt with
kingston av… just sayin
Dear Seventeen Year Old,
Mid calf and maxi skirts are now very in style.
They come in a variety of styles.
If you don’t like those you can do great by wearing below the knee. And by the way Tznius can be very elegant.
Check out the stores in Boro Park and Williamsburg.
I have been intending to write an article about Modesty but so far I have jotted down some ideas. Aliza 1. AHAVAS YISROEL Dressing provocatively is a distraction to men that can be especially disturbing to unmarried men. Men are not being ‘bad’ when they notice a provocatively dressed woman. It is a natural reaction. The reaction may be more for some and less for others – but I think that women have power over men by how they dress and it’s not fair to mess with someone’s head when he is just doing normal, daily activities. 2. RESPECT FOR… Read more »
Does that also apply to sheitels – “The longer the better”?
A very good book.
URGENT It is obvious that any actions with regard to tznius is extremely important, and is to be achieved in all manners possible. This includes approaching (in an inconspicuous way – fashion designers) and women’s wear shops. Especially, since there are those who complain that tznius clothing are difficult to find in the stores. It is worth emphasizing, appropriately, that women and girls, whose attire is in an untzniusdik fashion thereby call attention to themselves, and are disgraced, by proclaiming that they possess no intrinsic values to acquire attention to be evaluated, only in a manner which is contrary to… Read more »
… From this it is understood that every nuance in chinuch may create a lifetime impact on a student’s life, therefore anything that brings doubt in Yiras Shomayim or Yiddishkeit is not to be considered; may it be books that are questionable to enhancing yiras Shomayim or teachers that are questionable on the influence they will ultimately have on their students. …In addition, I will add, in connection to the aforementioned, even in a situation where there are no other choices.
(free translation. Igros Kodesh 17, pg 233. 11 Tammuz, 5718. Bais Rivka Seminary – Kfar Chabad)
כשם ש”בשכר נשים צדקניות שהיו באותו הדור נגאלו ישראל ממצרים,” כך תהי’ הגאולה מגלות זה האחרון בשכר נשים צדקניות שבדורינו – שההוספה בהצניעות דנשי ובנות ישראל בזמן האחרון, ממהרת ומזרת עוד יותר את הגאולה האמיתית והשלמה. משיחת ק’ יום ד’ דחג הסוכות תנש”א
Here we have it sraight from the source OUR REBBE … & look in likuteii sichos vol.18, pg. 447,where the Rebbe writes in a letter to those that have asked how long garments must be? The Rebbe responds :it is known what i say about it ,garments must be long enough that they will cover the knees even while sitting,this applies to every jewish woman & in all times. Check it out for yourselves in that letter… No more needs to be said. the satan is trying as hard as possible to rip the Shchina =Brochos away from us,LETS WAKE… Read more »
Although I believe that another very important, and often overlooked, point is that Tznius has as much to do with how one walks around and the image they portray as the length of ones skirt or neckline. Two girls could wear the exact same floor length dress with long sleeves but only one could be acting in a tzniut fashion.
As a woman, I know that the length of my skirt does matter but how I wear that skirt is, at least how I was taught, just as or more important.
As a girl very much “in the system” and a part of the picture, I just want people to understand our perspective. “The longer the better” the Rebbe writes, but the challenge noone seems to understand. For boys, imagine the motto was “the baggier the better (pants)”. Its difficult. Who wants to wear mid calf skirts? Grosss! A) its ugly b) makes you feel and look like a shlump C) its not it! Why would we want to cover more than we have to? We understand were jewish, and were proud, but that doesn’t mean we need to look and… Read more »
A queen walks with modesty and pride. There is nothing more attractive than this, even on the highest Supernal levels.
Tznius is a very important attribute to sanctify Hashem and promote respect for ourselves. You can be stylish and tznius!
Rabbi Chaim Jacobs Scotland I fully encourage and endorse this most important campaign. No greater channel to bring brochos to all the family and avoid tragedy than to ‘Cover Up’. We as chassisidim of the Rebbe must set the example to the world. We all believe Moshiach is coming any moment so let us make sure all dresses cover the knee when seated and cover up elsewhere too. How embarassed one would be if Moshiach came and one had to run home to get changed!!!?? This what the Rebbe meant about Boruch Habo Melech Hamoshiach. If Moshiach arrives at our… Read more »