Chazal (our Sages) say that when Naomi informed Ruth about the consequences of becoming a Jewess, she said to her, ×ין דרכן של ×‘× ×•×ª ישר×ל לילך לבתי תי×טר×ות ולבתי קרקסי×ות של ×’×•×™× –“It is not the way of Jewish girls to attend non-Jewish theaters and circuses.” [1. Ruth Rabbah 2:22] The laughter and light-headedness which prevail in these places is harmful for a Jewish person and particularly for a Bas Yisroel (refined Jewish woman) whose sensitivities and deep feelings of tznius can easily be contaminated. The neshama (soul) of a Bas Yisroel is so precious and delicate that such experiences cannot leave it unscathed.
It should be noted that Chazal (our Sages) do not say, “Bnos Yisroel (Jewish women) should not attend places of non-Jewish merriment.” Instead they say, “It is not the way of Bnos Yisroel to attend…” meaning, it is out of character for Jewish women and girls to go to such places. They are naturally composed and refined at all times and it is therefore out of style for them to join coarse and loud forms of entertainment even if they do not involve any immorality.
Modesty-An Adornment for Life: Rabbi Pesach Eliyahu Falk, © Feldheim Publishers.
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