Misconception #1) Tzniyus is just about what type of clothes one wears and what parts of the body they must cover in public.
Misconception #2) Tzniyus is just for females to worry about.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Yes, Tzniyus is important for females and yes, the kind of clothing one wears is subject to the laws of Tzniyus, but that is far - very far- from the whole picture.
Translating Tzniyus as "modesty" is a misleading, as the Halachos of Tzniyus encompass so much more than modesty; Tzniyus is a way of life; an attitude.
Tzniyus is in how we act, how we talk, how we interact with one another, how we behave in public, how we behave in private, how we think, how we dream, how we bathe, how we use the restroom, who we are friends with, who we look at, who we talk to, who we touch, what we touch, who our role models are, who we respect, who we look up to, how we raise our children, which music we listen to, which publications we bring into our homes and read, which websites we visit, etc.
And yes, Tzniyus applies just as much, if not more, to males (married as well as single) as it does to females.
Unfortunately, many aspects of Hilchos Tzniyus are either overlooked, unknown or otherwise not adhered to by many men, as these topics are not taught for whatever reason, and thus leads many men to transgress many vital Halachos - many that carry with them extremely stringent consequences - sometimes on a daily basis R"L.
After consultation with and blessings of prominent Rabbanim, we will now begin learning the Halachos of Tzniyus [mainly] as they pertain to Jewish men.
The great Gaon and founder of the Mussar movement, Rav Yisroel Salanter Zatzal, writes (in his Igeres HaMussar):
"...If one Chas V'shalom stumbled and sinned [in these areas of Tzniyus] to the point that the Yetzer Hara got so strong that the person doesn't even deem it a sin anymore, the primary cure, [besides for introspection in the areas of fear of Hashem and learning the Mussar words of Chazal that pertain to these areas] is to learn in depth the Halachos that pertain to these areas, particularly to learn them with the intent to keep them."
In the merit of learning these Halachos may Hashem give us all the strength and Siyata D'Shmaya to follow the guidelines of the Torah in this area as well as in all areas.
May we all merit the arrival of Mashiach Tzidkeinu B'Meheira B'Yameinu, a time when those who strive to keep their Neshamos pure in this world will merit true and eternal purity and closeness to Hashem.
Amen.
1) The Torah (Vayikra 19:1) commands every Jew to be holy.
One who is careful with himself and guards himself in areas of Tzniyus is deemed a "holy person" (Rashi ibid. See also Talmud Yerushalmi Yevamos Perek 2 Halacha 4 and Korban HaEidah there that this refers even to someone who avoids permissible things in order to prevent himself from Chas V'shalom ending up doing sinful things)
One who makes the effort to avoid questionable situations will merit special heavenly assistance to succeed in becoming holy. (See Talmud Yoma 38b, Haba L'Taher Misayin Oso. See also Ha'amek Davar from the Netziv as well as the Ohr HaChaim to Vayikra 11:44 that this is a guarantee from Hashem!)
2) The primary area of importance regarding Tzniyus is specifically when a person is alone and not in public. (See Talmud Brachos 62a)
One who is careful with Tzniyus when he is alone and only Hashem sees what he is doing, is considered to have sanctified Hashem's name (Kiddush Hashem) (See Rambam Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah Perek 5:10)
A Jew that gives his life, one time, "Al Kiddush Hashem" is on an extremely lofty level (See Rambam Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah Perek 5:7) ; a Jew that lives his life, day in day out, "Al Kiddush Hashem" is even holier.
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers.
These Q&A are taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
I get many letters from variuos Tzedaka organizations requesting money for their cause.
Say I get about 100 letters in the mail this month. Is it better to give to one organization $100 or $1 to 100 organizations?
Answer:
It is better to spread the wealth rather than give all your Tzedaka dollars to one place.
This doesnt mean you cant give more to causes you feel for and not at all to a cause that doesnt touch your heart,it just means that it is praiseworthy to spread it out. (See Rambam to Pirkei Avos Perk 3 Mishna 15 ).
There are also halachic guidelines about who takes precedence over others, as we have discussed in Hilchos Maaser Kesafim.
CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmas the late Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Yaakov ben Rav Binyomin Moshe Stein Zatzal.
We will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
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Important Numbers
