The Rebbe would address the topic of Tznius every year before the summer months. The following short thoughts of the Rebbe on tznius are a continuation of a weekly summer series and are compiled by Rabbi Michoel Seligson.
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Sichas Shabbos Shlach 5723/1963:
When summer time arrives, schools begin their vacation. People travel to the ‘country’ where there is fresh air to enjoy and which enables a person to remove the yoke of all the bothersome occupations of the entire year.
But to our disappointment, there are those who utilize this in a negative way. When they go to the ‘country’, they remove the yoke of the Shulchan Aruch, the yoke of heaven, and surely do not conduct themselves as when they are sitting at the mizrach wall of the 770 shul.
Primarily, it expresses itself in the garments. A wild situation developed with the wearing of non-kosher clothing, (I am not referring to shatnez G-D forbid, but rather) from the perspective of tznius.
This exists not only among women but men also, who generally need to be strong minded. Even men with beards, when they go to the ‘country’ they are not careful with tznius in regards to their clothing. They shorten their garments from the top and the bottom, in contrast to what is stated in the Shulchan Aruch regarding the areas of the body that are not to be exposed. In English it is called wearing shorts. And in reality it is a result of being short minded in understanding and knowledge.
It is understandable that when men conduct themselves like this, then women, who are like their husbands, according to our sages, ‘Aishes chover kchover’ surely find a justification to do the same. And from clothing it continues, until there is an impact on the general behavior throughout the year.
Although one figures the trip to the ‘country’ is for fresh air; one needs to know that in reality it is a mission from above for the intention of fulfilling a mitzvah between a person and G-D or between one person and a second person. A Yid is an emissary from above to make this world a dwelling place for the Almighty. One is to remember that the Almighty is also found in the ‘country’, and therefore one should ensure that it is an appropriate residence for the Almighty”.
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“One who is not dressed modestly ‘declares to all’ a lack of all qualities and reasons for people to pay attention to her… except for this immodest behavior”
In the early 1970’s, N’shei U’Bnos Chabad asked the Rebbe to choose the theme for the annual convention and the Rebbe responded with the following.
“Mahir” [urgent matter]
“It is obvious that all actions with regard to tznius are extremely important [and are to be accomplished] in all ways possible. This includes contacting (fashion designers – privately) and women’s clothing stores. Particularly since there are those who complain that it is difficult for them to buy modest clothing.
It would be noteworthy to stress, in an appropriate way, that girls and women who are not dressed modestly embarrass themselves, and ‘declare to all’ that they are lacking all qualities and reasons for people to pay attention to them and respect them, except for this immodest behavior” (Kfar Chabad Issue # 673, page 11).
A copy of the Rebbe’s handwritten response
men have an effect on women and women have an effect on men so if both keep to their tznius in a proper way, hopefully they will change for the better.
I don’t disagree. That is also a huge embarrassment which is the cause of this problem with the shorts.
it is an extreme eye sore/ disaster to see walking down kingston women with skirts to what ever and `tichels half way falling off #talkabouteyesores
lets not be such tzaddikim here lets start with the bigger issue that of women being extremely untznius in public
Really embarrassing to see frum men in shorts. It makes one look like an ignoramus. Please to the men that sport these, if after this article you stop wearing them, it will be a huge improvement. Btw it is an eyesore. No thank you , please spare me from having to see you bare legs!
Where in shulchan aruch does it speak about men’s shorts? and is there a shorts that is considered tznius for men (e.g., if goes below the knee)?
Yes you can wear a short sleeved shirts with a kapota covering wherever you go
I agree that men should be tznius but don’t talk about comfort.. Shorts are for sure more comfortable than cotton pants, as a man I can testify to that so please don’t tell us what is more comfortable if you haven’t been in the situation.
In regard to going to the ocean for mikveh use: I figured out to use a water bottle tied to the swim trunks to keep them from getting lost in the water. Should I also wear a long sleeve shirt into the ocean and attach a water bottle to the shirt too? Thanks to all the poskim and researchers.
The article also address women!
I agree that it’s time to address men being not tznius as well.
What is the problem with that for men? I heard that more men it must cover the shoulders i.e no sleeveless. I get there being a problem with muscle tight shirts but short sleeve? Completely tznius for men.
Shorts for men and short sleeve shirts is not the same thing!
Their is no Halachic Issue with men wearing shorts(that pass the knee especially)
And comparing Men wearing shorts to women dressing immodesly is just wrong
there is a difference between shorts and short sleeve shirts.
I feel camp often allows shorts and very casual, modern clothes, so then the boys think it’s acceptable…
Well said!
If you look in many pictures of the Rebbe (with Tefillin) you can see the Rebbe wearing short sleeve shirts.
Some of the ‘frum’ new clothing companies popping up are not in compliance to the Rebbes horaahs listed clearly above. Will someone please say something?
I was wondering. The Rebbe always wore short sleeved white dress shirts with a pocket under his Kappote. Can we wear a short sleeved shirt?
The sefer Kvuda Bas Melech includes very detailed halachic guidance regarding tznius for (also) men.
See
1) the Yiddish sicha (Sichos Kodesh version).
2) the Hebrew Sicha Shlach 5723 in footnote # 38.
The Rebbe wore short sleeves.
What is the Rebber’s attitude to men wearing short sleeve shirts.
With all due respect, its pretty awful when they wear shorts, totally unbecoming and not the best of sights!:( pretty ugly in most cases
I think its only right that we get the message across to the yungerleit of today about the subject of them wearing shorts; Its as important , I feel, for the men to hear and read this, as it is for the women to correct their shortcomings! The Rebbe is clear and specific over here regarding the subject of them wearing shorts and he He felt about it; Very negative, as is obvious from the above letter. A cotton pair of long pants is just as comfortable and cool as shorts are, lets not kid ourselves, or is it all… Read more »
The rebbe has said thousands of times, the woman is the “akeres habayis “- the foundation of the home, if the foundation is strong and solid the edifice will be strong, if the foundTion is floundering so will the rest of the edifice. FACE IT, a woman either makes it (the home) or breaks it! The lack of tznius on her part encourages the same from her husband which was ultimately breaks down the whole family unit . A smart woman would recognize this and strengthen her tznius, no matter how far she may have strayed. Guaranteed she will reap… Read more »
“In English it is called wearing shorts” where in the sicha does it say that ?
The yeshivas should teach this to the boys at an early age, not wait until they are older.
Shabbos nachmu I was in a bungalow colony and saw a few yungerleit (not sure if that is correct name ) walking around in shorts and T shirts. Some with Tzitzis some without.
Not fair to blame ladies only.
Look at our children – girls wearing tighter and shorter, no stockings, flip-flops, very low neck lines. Boys obsessed with sports and cars dressing like secular boys. Is it too late?
This article is specifically focusing on men’s tznius, and you feel the need to bring in women’s issues?
Yes, I can agree with most of the above. And at least it’s acknowledging men’s immodest dress, and not just women’s for a change!
When you follow ‘Esav’ instead of ‘Yaacov’ you’re going down a stupid & destructive path. ‘Esav’ CANNOT CONDUCT A SOCIETY! — A FOOL AND IDIOT!
Tznius applies to men, too.
Sadly – too many who attache themselves to the Chassidic name – choose to flirt with fire – by not wearing stockings, by wearing high heels, short hemlines. It is sad to see so many shun the beauty and majesty of tznius. They have lost their connection – they have lost their priorities – they have lost the simcha shel mitzva and replaced it all with vanity and pritzus. Let us work to restore our crowns – the crown each of us has – the crown of tznius and yiras shamayim.