A Question of Modesty

19 Shevat 5774

Too often we tend towards knee-jerk reactions.  It's "us" against "them" so, naturally, "they" have to be wrong. However, when we understand that nothing happens that is not ordained from Above and that absolutely everything contains a message to us, it stops being about "us" against "them" - whether "they" are the Arabs, the missionaries or the Erev Rav - and it comes down to "us" and HKB"H.


Temple Mount: Jewish Woman Barred Over 'Muslim' Dress Code

A religious Jewish woman who wanted to visit the Temple Mount on Sunday morning was told she could not enter the holy site because her skirt was too short, Temple Mount activists have reported. The woman was wearing thick black tights, a knee-length black skirt, and a long-sleeved black top.

The truth of the matter is... Our women have been too influenced by western fashions and "norms" of modesty. The truth of the matter is... In this instance, the WAKF was probably right and they were just Hashem's messenger to give this message to Jewish women who want to do what is right, but who have been mislead.

We've all seen them on the streets, the yeshivish types wearing long sheitels and straight, tight skirts to just below the knee, together with opaque tights and form-fitting, long-sleeved blouses up to the neck.  Sure, it meets the letter of halachah, but the spirit - in this case, the internal sense of right and wrong - is missing. Even if all the skin is covered, it is not modest dress as the body is outlined for all to see.

Jewish women, I am not advocating going to a different extreme, but rather to take the balanced middle ground. In these times of harsh judgments hanging over our heads, let's not take any chances of giving the Accusing Angel any ammunition to use against us. After all, what you do is not just about you, it's about all of us - Klal Yisrael.