“Every year before the summer, generally at the Yud Bais Tammuz Farbrengen, the Rebbe would speak about Tznius,” says Rabbi Michoel Seligson.
A little background: In late 1969 much focus was placed on a new mode of dress.
On Simchas Torah the Rebbe had already addressed the issue of tznius at length. When the N’shei Chabad mid-winter convention took place in Adar, the Rebbe set tznius as the prime theme of the convention. In Iyar, when the Rebbe spoke to the assembled N’shei Chabad, tznius was the topic.
The following is a letter from the 7th of Adar I 5730/1970 – Rebbe’s Igros volume 26, page 324 (free translation from Yiddish):
“I have noted on various occasions regarding the necessity of strengthening tznius. However, taking into consideration the present situation on this topic, I find it necessary to come out with a highly urgent appeal.
From the Torah’s perspective, it is unnecessary to elaborate on the importance of tznius. It is sufficient to note that our sacred Torah, which is referred to as The Torah of Life, because it is the guide to all the areas in one’s life, and assures an appropriate and a true joy in life, places a great stress on Tznius.
In many ways, there is a greater emphasis [on tznius] than on other aspects of daily conduct. so that tznius is one of the primary foundations of Jewish life, as stated in the verse, ‘Be modest with your G-D’.
Already from the reward assured in the Torah, in the Talmud, and the Zohar, and from the words of our sages obm, relaying how Jewish women over the course of different generations merited through tznius to exceptional G-D’ly blessings, not only for themselves but also for their husbands children, and grandchildren; makes it easier to understand the importance and meaning of tznius.
On the other hand, the strictness and admonitions about the sad consequences, G-d forbid, as a result of the lack of tznius (as clearly described in Isiah chapter 3 etc.), does not leave a shadow of a doubt about the severity of this matter.
There are those people, who as a result of their lack of Torah knowledge in general, and on the topic of tznius in particular, assume that the laws, regulations and customs relating to tznius, diminish the Jewish woman from her social privileges [is considered different from others –editor’s note] or affect her dignity, and the like.
This is a false assessment. The truth is exactly the opposite. Our sacred Torah and our sages obm have stressed the dignity and beauty of the Jewish daughter and woman numerous times. Many regulations were instituted exclusively to protect and preserve their honor and importance. Related to this, the well-known verse ‘The glory of a princess comes from within’ (Tehillim 45:14) is often quoted. The Torah describes the Jewish woman as ‘glory’ and ‘princess’, but requires this should express itself in a manner of ‘inwardness’, or tznius.
But even from a logical perspective, we see, especially in these last years, what the collapse of tznius has led to. The shameless styles in women’s clothing, aimed to provoke the low class traits of the animal soul, express the downfall of the modern world, as far as the basic foundations of morality are concerned.
The hefkerus and pritzus, rachmona litzlan, of a large part of today’s youth has brought about shocking tragedies in many homes. It is a fact that if these young people would have been raised on the foundations of tznius in accordance with our holy Torah, many tragedies could have been avoided and many young lives would not have been disturbed.
In the light of the above, I am of the opinion that the topic of tznius needs to be placed as one of the main points on the daily agenda in responsible Jewish circles.
Especially as N’shei Ubnos Chabad is the central body of all the branches worldwide, it is your urgent task at this moment to initiate an intensive action to rouse the Jewish public, and in particular, Jewish women’s organizations – whatever their purpose should not be – that the concept of tznius should be integrated into their practical activities.
We need to alert Jewish mothers to the danger of neglecting tznius in raising their daughters.
Faculties of girl’s schools everywhere, should be made aware to be stringent on the topic of tznius, and explain to the students that tznius is the most beautiful midah, the crown of the Jewish daughter and woman.
We need to exert ourselves to show all who understand and observe tznius, that they have a responsibility to their sisters and they need to influence them by word and deed, being role models, to strengthen the tznius in their home and circle.
It is high time that Jewish women and daughters should acknowledge their Jewish pride and be independent of the false, misleading and generally ‘empty’ styles of the surrounding environment; styles that have no value, aside from the greediness of those who have a financial interest in this.
And in the merit of strengthening and spreading tznius in all aspects of daily life, the Almighty should grant the fulfillment of all the blessings that the Torah grants us, for observing tznius, and in the greatest measure, especially in true Jewish nachas from children and grandchildren, with health and parnossa in abundance, with much joy together with one’s husband, for long and good years.”
/The Rebbe’s Signature/
The Rebbe writes about Tznius in a positive and dignified way.
Immediately, self-righteous people turn his words into to hostility. Chesed is turned into Gevurah.
The Rebbe is giving us the goal and the tone – we have to develop how the Rebbe’s ideas will be presented in a dignified way that will reach the soul – not in a judgmental way that will repel women and girls and encourage them to see how far they can deviate from the Halacha.
to R Seligson for translating and for COL for posting!
A woman must cover the whole of her main body (the torso). She must, therefore cover whatever is halachically (according to law) not considered to be part of the neck. At the front, the neck ends just above the collar-bones; the collar bones form the frontal uppermost part of the torso. As the collar-bones are part of the main body, they must be properly covered, in line with all other parts of the main body. At the center of this frontal area, the neck extends slightly downwards between the collar-bones in a small v-shaped dip. This is due to the… Read more »
Last summer,merkaz anash released a beautiful book on tznius,it is the Rebbes view on modesty.well written and beautifully presented.it is very powerful,and should be a must read for Nshei and bnos Chabad!
I do not know the exact source. I DO know that there is NOsource to have it exposed.My wife and daughters BH all dress according to the prevalent halachos of tzniyus.They all look beautiful and fashionable and not at all perceived as extreme.They have self respect for themselves and others. They also bring kavod to their Rebbe and Lubavitch.
Modeh Ani first-thing And specifically: Hareini Mikabel & Ma Tovu Ohalecho ____________ I recognize before You – King – Living and Eternal – You Returned in me my Soul – Mercifully . Bountiful is faith in You : I receive upon myself the positive dictate of “And you should love your fellow as your self” : How Goodly your tents are – Yaakov , your settlings – Yisroel ; And I – in the Abundance of Your Kindness – come to Your House – I prostrate to the Sanctuary of Your Holiness – in Awe of You ; And I… Read more »
is there a source in TORAH for a woman needing to cover her collarbone?
If you know definatly that there is please write the mara makom so that i could look it up myself.
Peer pressure as how to dress has a tremendous influence on me.This article will fortify me be strong and stick to the rules of tzniyus dress and be proud and as the Rebbe said
‘The glory of a princess comes from within’ (Tehillim 45:14) is often quoted. The Torah describes the Jewish woman as ‘glory’ and ‘princess’, but requires this should express itself in a manner of ‘inwardness’, or tznius.
So you are being pressured by your peers, so just tell them to stop.
When will sefer Kvuda Bas Melech on the halachos of Tznius (published with the haskamos of the major halachic authorities and including the rabonim of Lubavitch) be reprinted?
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 »
The Rebbe would often say. I say what I mean.So often we try to say our own pshetelech in interpreting what the Rebbe said.Like everything else in our lives there are halachos that apply to them.So too in the area of tzniyus there are halachos thst apply.As a Lubavitcher we should follow the halachos that are applicable from a Chasidic Rav ad paskened by Shulchan Aruch.The Rebbe has said that he is a Shulchan Aruch Yid and anyone who doesn’t follow Shulchan Aruch has no shychus to him. Let’s stop fooling ourselves that we can be lax in halachod of… Read more »
Please publicize this!
If necessary, I’m willing to B”N give each of you a $100 advertising fee if you post this full-size, UNEDITED article (MINUS all reader’s opinions and comments) on an 11×17 poster in your full view in your store’s front window, and leave it there from now till after Shabbos Bereishis.
Can we make a deal?
This gives me strength no to give in to the social pressures…
For sharing these valuable words
This is the greatest gift you can give to a daughter.
May we all see the brachas that carefully observing this mitzvah brings to our lives and our families and our communities.