Liberation & Empowerment
Modesty – a form of oppression? In light of today’s feminism, when women are free to dress and act as they please, is “covering the knees” a different kind of slavery? The Avner Institute presents two joint letters addressing the essence of spiritual victory and freedom, the folly of sacrificing holy tradition in the name of secular trends, and the honored role of Jewish women as societal pillars through refined speech, clothing, and conduct.
In Loving member of loving memory of Hadassah Lebovic A”h
“Strong and Determined Posture”
The following letter was written to a student of Rabbi Dr. Alter Metzger, Professor of Jewish Studies at Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women. Following the Six Day War, Rabbi Metzger created a special fund for the purchase of Tefillin. Chaya Devorah Plotkin was in charge of raising these funds, which were then sent to the Rebbe. In Kislev 5730/1969, at the height of the countercultural movement, arguments ensued among her classmates regarding women’s dress. Miss Plotkin sent a letter to the Rebbe addressing some of the issues. The following two letters, released for the first time, contain the Rebbe’s response.
By the Grace of G-d
21 Kislev 5730
Brooklyn, NY
Miss Chaya Devorah Plotkin
50 East 34th St. #6H
New York, NY 10016
Blessing and Greeting:
I duly received your letter of the 14th of Kislev, with the enclosed tzedakah contributed by your group of girls. Enclosed are the receipts.
May G-d grant that the zechus of the tzedakah should stand each and every one of you individually, and all together, in good stead, for the fulfillment of your hearts’ desires for good in all your needs.
I hope you will have an inspiring Chanukah, especially in the light of the fact that Jewish women had a significant role in the miracle of Chanukah, as you surely know. The women’s contribution began with their self-sacrificing determination to observe the laws of tznius, and extended to the whole area of Torah and mitzvoth. Be it remembered that in those days they were confronted with a trend which had swept not only non-Jewish nations, but unfortunately also a substantial part of the Jewish people, who called themselves “Hellenists,” faithfully following the customs and fashions of the day as set by the Greek culture prevailing at that time.
An event in Jewish history, particularly one that has been eternalized by a mitzvah, especially for eight consecutive days, surely must provide food for thought, not only as an important historic event, but also, and especially, as one that has a pertinent and timely significance for our own day and age. This should also make it easier to overcome whatever difficulties there may be, whether real or imaginary, to do so with confidence, joy, and gladness of heart.
The message of Chanukah, for Jewish girls and women, is that they should not allow themselves to be influenced by the environment, even though they are “few” and “weak” (as mentioned in Al Hanissim). Victory will be theirs if they assume a strong and determined posture, and the benefit of it will be not only for them, but for the entire Jewish people, indeed for all future generations, as was the case with Chanukah.
Surely it is unnecessary to elaborate to you at length as to the cult of the ancient Greeks, which was to worship physical strength and beauty, discarding all modesty, etc. So shameless they became in their conduct, that they ascribed the same obscenities and vulgarity to their pagan gods, as is well known from their mythology.
In the light of the above, the issue, insofar as Jewish girls are concerned, is not merely the length of a dress, whether it be longer or shorter, but the fact that following the trend of the non-Jewish cult means subservience to it all along the line.
Secondly, this is not a personal matter, where a Jewish girl can think it is a matter of her own to do as she please, but it has far-reaching implications involving other girls, and is indeed a matter of concern for all our Jewish people.
Thirdly, there is no basis to think that what can a girl do in the face of such a majority and a trend, etc. The message of Chanukah provides the answer in regard to all three mentioned points.
I hope and pray that those girls who have shown strength and independence in the matter of tznius will continue to do so even with greater strength, while those who have not seen the matter in the true light of the Torah until now will begin to do so from now on and will continue in the right direction, going from strength to strength, in accordance with the teaching of the Chanukah lights, which are kindled in growing numbers from day to day.
Although this letter has been addressed to you in reply to your letter, both your letter as well as the reply are, of course, intended on behalf of the entire group. I hope, therefore, that you will bring it to the attention of each and every one of the group, and that it will help you and them in your determination to show a living example to other girls and groups as to what the proper thinking and conduct of a Jewish girl should be. In this way we may be certain in the eventual victory of light over darkness and to the realization of Al Hanissim in our own time, to its very conclusion, “to give thanks and praise to Thy great name.”
Wishing you and all your friends a happy and inspiring Chanukah,
With blessing,
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“To Make an Impact”
By the Grace of G-d
19 Tammuz 5731
Brooklyn, NY
To the Students of Rabbi Dr. Metzger’s Class
Yeshiva University/Stern College for Women
Blessing and Greeting:
I am gratified to receive periodic reports of your good activities, and recently together with your donations for the Tefillin Fund and Ezras Achim, for which receipts are enclosed.
Inasmuch as everything is by hashgocha protis, and it came at this time, at the beginning of the summer vacation, I wish to take advantage of the opportunity to convey some timely thoughts to you.
I am confident that your efforts during the past year in the area of tznius have had the desired results, and will continue to be felt. Nevertheless, on the basis of the saying of our Sages, “Encourage the energetic,” I wish to send you a word of encouragement to continue your efforts in this direction, particularly during the summer season, when many of you will have special opportunities to make an impact on your surroundings.
I have had occasion to mention before that when we see an increase in the area of the undesirable, it is an indication that a special effort should be made in the positive direction to offset the negative by a reinforcement of the positive. Our Sages of blessed memory expressed it by saying Beka’ah matza begeder ba beder. This means, according to the commentaries, that when one sees an area neglected in the community, the way to deal with the situation is not, as some misguided individuals might think, to accept the situation, or even make concessions, in the hope of not antagonizing, etc. On the contrary, it is necessary to make a special fence and additional fences, to close the gap. Experience has also shown that when one takes the road of concession, however well it may be meant, one only loses the confidence of the people whom one wishes to influence. On the other hand, by following unequivocally the road of uncompromising truth, one gains the respect and confidence of the people.
In the light of the above, I trust that each and every one of you will consider it as a special mission and message coming from the Torah, Toras Chaim, to take advantage of these vacation days and strengthen all the matters of goodness and holiness in one’s own life, and in one’s surroundings. I particularly urge you to continue your efforts in the area of tznius which, although it is basically reflected in the manner of attire, concerns also general conduct, conversation, etc.
It is well to bear in mind that since G-d is the Creator of man, and since He expects one to fulfill a certain task, He provides the necessary capacity and ability to fulfill the task in the best possible way.
I send my prayerful wishes to each and every one of you for a successful summer in every respect, particularly in respect to the above-mentioned endeavor, and may you have good news to report.
With blessing,
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