“King Solomon said ‘How good it is an appropriate word in the right time’ therefore although the following is a clear din in the Shulchan Aruch, now is the correct time and especially in the presence of many Jews, who will surely publicize it.
Since we find ourselves in the summer, which is a time that people go to the country, it is a great mitzva to publicize that the laws of tznius in the Shulchan Aruch, are relevant not only for the winter season but also for the summer months, not only for children but also for adults, and not only for general adults but also the greatest amongst the adults. Hashem should help us that it be a healthy summer, a kosher summer, and a healthy and enjoyable summer” (12th of Tamuz 5717/1957).
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“The Talmud (Yuma 47a) tells us about the tznius of a woman named Kimchis, who said, ‘My hair was not exposed to the walls of my house. Therefore I merited that my seven sons served in the Bais Hamikdosh.’
Every Jewish woman needs to know these words of Kimchis. The chinuch of children and its’ conditions are dependent on the mother, the Jewish mother, more than on the father.
What is expected of her? Not that the house needs to be attended to with the fullest devotion, polished etc. but that ‘My hair was not exposed to the walls of my house.’
In addition, they need to be aware that the lot of their children is in their hands:
It is possible from above that the child of a certain woman is destined to be the Kohen godol [in a spiritual sense], and when the mother is lacking this conduct [‘My hair was not exposed to the walls of my house’] she is depriving her son of this great merit that is in his reach!
One should not figure to fulfill their obligation just with sighs and crying, but to implement it in a practical sense, and they will then merit healthy children physically and spiritually” (Shabbos Parshas Shmini 5716).
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In a response the Rebbe wrote, “Based on the words of my saintly father-in-law, the Rebbe, the troubling instances that we have in the present time from the Jewish youth – result from being lenient in family purity and tznius (as mentioned in seforim). .” (Kfar Chabad #746 pg. 13).
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In a talk to N’shei Ubnos Chabad, in spring 5728/1968, the Rebbe stated that Jewish women and daughters in our time need to preserve their purity and sanctity in general, and in tznius and dress in particular. They should not to be influenced by what is taking place in their environment and should not have a desire to model themselves after non-Jewish women etc. To supervise and exercise utmost caution that garment length should be in accordance with what is stated in Shulchan Aruch and not to shorten them. It is a mitzvah to publicize this (Sefer Mishvochai Horebbe page 29).
It is possible that a mother will be careful in Tznius herself and have children who are not. It may be worth looking into, if those mothers have a very strong emphasis on outer appearance (I’m not referring to neat, clean and nice) I’m talking about running after the latest fashion, or an over-emphasis on outer beauty. As #7 said Tznius is not only in dress, it’s in thought speech and action. A mother may have a Tznius issue in another way. I think if the energy and vibes we give our children is only positive with contentment in regard… Read more »
Tznius is in THOUGHT, SPEECH AND DEED….AND ACTIONS.
Thank you!!! Please help us stay strong.
to #5 – saddly there is something called peer pressure and if the home is not strong in their beliefs, with pride to Shulchan Oruch, then you can be the most tznius bubby or mommy and your kids will take after those that they admire and feel pride in.
On the other hand, I personally know of friends / family members who have always been absolutely scrupulous in their tznius ( both in the house & in the street ) and yet their teen-age & grown daughters are not very careful. So although I am terribly saddened that Kingston Avenue looks like a beach resort, there are certainly wonderful mothers and bubbies here who were careful in every one of the women’s inyunim but have not seen nachas – yet.
How lucky we are that we are taught to respect ourselves and keep ourselves above the degradation of women the “goyishe” world causes by their lack of modesty and true esteem for women as thinking people and not just bodies
It is so reassuring to see this posted on your site. A friendly request to be mindful that all photos posted on this site should reflect this tznius dress according to shulchan Aruch.
Thank you!
MOTHERS please don’t think you can dress one way and expect your daughters to follow the ‘school rules’. Our girls need posiive role models AT HOME!
MOTHERS Your daughters love you, admire you, look up to you and want to be just like you! You have an amazing power in your hands to influence the next generation!
Thank you for sharing!
So empowering