When a woman or girl dresses inadequately, uncovering parts of her body that should be covered, or when she overdresses and thereby causes men to be attracted to look at her, she transgresses a number of prohibitions:
- Firstly, inadequate dress frequently involves the Torah prohibition of ×•×‘×—×•×§×•×ª×™×”× ×œ× ×ª×œ×›×• – not to dress in a way typical of the other nations. [1. Yoreh Deah 178:1] This is transgressed when a person wears a type of garment that is worn by the secular society because it suits their inclination for immodesty and similar ill-founded considerations.
- Secondly, in nearly all cases she contravenes the prohibition of ×•×œ×¤× ×™ עור ×œ× ×ª×ª×Ÿ מכשול – not to cause others to stumble and do a sin. [2. Vayikra 19:14] In this case, by dressing in an inappropriate manner, she causes men to gaze at her and transgress the Torah prohibition of ×•×œ× ×ª×ª×•×¨×• ×חרי ×œ×‘×‘×›× ×•×חרי ×¢×™× ×™×›× – “Do not allow your heart or eyes to stray and entice you.” [3. Bamidbar 15:39]
- Thirdly, by exposing areas that should be covered, the woman or girl transgresses the obligation והיה ×ž×—× ×™×š קדוש – “Your environment shall be holy” [4. Devarim 23:15]. This verse has a number of meanings. One of them is that it is prohibited for a female to reveal parts of her body as this erodes the sanctity of the society. [5. S’mak, mitzvah 56]
- Fourthly, by exposing areas that should be covered she transgresses the prohibition of ×œ× ×ª×—×ž×•×“ – “Do not desire.” [6. Shemos 20:14] According to the rules of Torah interpretations this verse can also be read as ×œ× ×ª×—×ž×™×“ – “Do not make others desire.” [7. Sefer HaYirah l’Rabbeinu Yona no. 254 in the name of the Mechilta] When a woman exposes her limbs she arouses the desire of those who see her.
- Fifthly, if a married woman goes out in public with her hair uncovered she transgresses a Torah prohibition. This is derived from the verse, ופרע ×ת ר×ש ×”×שה – “the hair of the woman (sotah) shall be uncovered” in Beis Din [8. Bamidbar 5:18] which implies that until this point her hair had to be covered because she was a married woman. [9. Kesubos 72a] From the same chapter we can also learn that to reveal the chest area is a Torah prohibition. This is because our Sages [10. Sotah 8a] derive from a verse that not only the hair but also the chest area of the sotah is uncovered in Beis Din - implying that until this point it had to be covered. To cover these areas is therefore considered דת משה -“a scriptural obligation.”
Modesty-An Adornment for Life: Rabbi Pesach Eliyahu Falk, © Feldheim Publishers.
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bs’d
This is great!
Thank you so much, Rabbi Rich.
You’re welcome, Chayamiriam.