A Jewish woman has deep inner qualities (i.e. the way she thinks and feels about things) and also possesses considerable outer chein, or spiritual beauty. Her deep inner qualities originate from the pure neshama (soul) that is within her. With these qualities she will nurture a family that will be worthy of being considered a further link in the golden chain of the Jewish people. Her considerable outer chein, or spiritual beauty, is typical for Jewish women, and is once again closely related to her pure and beautiful neshama (soul)–as the exterior reflects the interior. (The Hebrew word for face–panim, has the same root as the Hebrew word for inside–penim)
The inner and outer qualities of the Jewish woman are so special that both must be guarded at all times from contamination, misdirection and misuse. Just as a gem must be continuously protected from theft and damage, and to this end must be kept well covered and in a place of safety, so too, the dress of the Jewish woman and her refined public conduct, protect her and guarantee her purity.
The first verse in Bircas Kohanim (the priestly blessings) reads יברכך ד’ וישמרך – “Hashem shall bless you and protect you” (Bamidbar 6:24). On this the Midrash comments, יברכך ×‘×‘× ×™× ×•×™×©×ž×¨×š ×‘×‘× ×•×ª שצריכות שמירה — ” ‘Hashem shall bless you’: with sons — ‘and protect you’: with daughters that require protection.” The Midrash explains that daughters are referred to with the word שמירה — protection — because “daughters must be protected” (Bamidbar Rabba 11:5). Guarding and protecting Jewish women and girls is of such paramount importance that our Sages incredibly equate the word שמירה — protection – with women and girls.
יברכך — “He shall bless you” refers only to having sons, not to having sons and daughters, because to have daughters but not the means and the know-how to protect them is no blessing at all. Since Birkas Kohanim — the priestly blessing — was given to the Jewish people wherever they are, whether in exile between the nations of the world or in the Land of Israel amongst only Jews, it is apparent that the Jewish woman needs protection at all times and in all places.
Due to the great importance that must be attached to the protection of women and girls, the yeter hara — evil inclination — aims at misrepresenting the requirements of tznius and Jewish sanctity. His assault has become particularly potent in our own times as the exile moves towards its close and the much awaited era of Moshiach comes ever nearer. Just as a flame flares up just before it goes out, so too, the impurity of immorality flares up just prior to the coming of Moshiach, when it will finally be dealt a fatal blow. It has come to a point that, as a result of continued exposure to immorality — internet, billboards, television, magazines and newspapers — our senses have become dulled to the extent that to many people the laws of tznius seem unjustified and grossly overstated. However, with a new deeper understanding of the main guidelines and underlying philosophy of tznius, and by learning to appreciate the immense depth of our Sages’ understanding, a renewed willingness and even greater eagerness will arise to adhere meticulously to all the laws of tznius.
Modesty-An Adornment for Life: Rabbi Pesach Eliyahu Falk, © Feldheim Publishers.
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Rabbi Rich,
Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to learn about this from our very own homes.
Wendy Narzem