Tznius

Tznius (meaning "concealment" and hiding) is the term for desired behavior according to Torah.

Tznius can be interpreted regarding the conduct of both men and women, meaning covering the private parts of the body. It can also be interpreted regarding conducting oneself in a modest way in avodas Hashem and other worldly matters.

Das Moshe and Das Yehudis edit

The halachos for women are divided into two categories: There are halachos that are forbidden by Torah law called "Das Moshe," and there are halachos that are forbidden based on the custom of Jewish women, which are also serious and complete prohibitions. It is ruled in the Mishnah in Maseches Kesubos that a woman who transgresses these behaviors can be divorced without receiving her kesuba.

The prohibition of going with an uncovered head is from Das Moshe, meaning from the Torah, as learned from the possuk "and he shall uncover the woman's head" (in Parshas Sota), from which we learn that a woman's head is covered. However, the obligation to go with a special covering for women, even when the head is covered (such as with a basket) is from "Das Yehudis." Similarly, all laws of tznius that do not involve an explicit Torah prohibition, such as the prohibition to engage in frivolous conversation with men, are forbidden from "Das Yehudis."

Some have the custom to cover their heads with a tichel, but the Rebbe's opinion is that the greatest hiddur is to cover the head specifically with a sheitel, since it covers all the hair completely and with hiddur, unlike a tichel which sometimes does not cover all the hair.

There are also many detailed halachos regarding a woman covering her flesh in places that must be completely covered in a way that nothing shows at all. A woman's tznius is her true beauty, just as a king's daughter only shows her beauty inside her home in appropriate places, as the possuk states "all the glory of the king's daughter is within."

Prohibition of Yichud edit

Among the most severe tznius prohibitions are the prohibitions of yichud. The prohibition of yichud with a married woman is a Torah prohibition. The Rabbis also decreed against yichud with an unmarried woman.

In 1991, the Rebbe warned about the breach where girls and women travel with male drivers in taxis, where they sometimes transgress the Torah prohibition of yichud.

Separation Between Men and Women edit

The Rebbe warns in many letters about the severe prohibition of holding a wedding without complete separation. The Rebbe emphasizes that in such a wedding there is no joy at all, as the great poskim write in the laws of Sheva Brachos that at such an event it is forbidden to recite "shehasimcha bimono" because there is neither joy nor the Divine Presence at such an event.

Exceptionally, the Rebbe warns about the practical danger facing a chosson and kallah who have a mixed wedding, since this fact can be seen tangibly, that the future and happiness of the couple depends on a separate wedding, and many are the tragedies and troubles that occurred to couples who held their wedding without complete separation.

However, in the early years of the Rebbe's nesius, many Anash weddings were held without proper separation during the meal, and the Rebbe's main letters are regarding proper separation during dancing. Only in later years, following vigorous activity by several chassidim, did this practice cease.

Tznius and Hakhel edit

The possuk about Hakhel emphasizes two opposites - on one hand "gather the people" - all together - unity that nullifies the levels and barriers between them, and on the other hand "the men, women and children" where each needs to be separate.

From here we learn that true unity - Hakhel, is possible specifically when the gathering is according to Torah and with tznius - regarding Hakhel in the Beis Hamikdash, where at that exact time and place was the Simchas Beis Hashoeiva where "women sat above and men below."

Not like those who claim that barriers separate - on the contrary, we see tangibly that only this way do people unite completely, when each one invests themselves in their role and doesn't interfere with others.

Tznius - Also for Men edit

In a letter regarding vacation days, the Rebbe writes: "...particularly since there are those who start summer before what's written in the calendar... the special matter that needs to be clarified now regarding summer days - is the matter of tznius. Tznius is - not like those who err thinking it's only for women that 'all the glory of the king's daughter is within,' but for men it has no relevance, rather - the matter is even more so for men, as ruled in Shulchan Aruch, that even for men there is the matter of tznius..."

"I received a picture of someone dressed 'from waist to thighs.' Seemingly, if you go like this - why do you need them to photograph you standing in such a state, that should remain for eternal memory?!... And in the picture it appeared this was willingly, as we say 'for the sin we sinned before You willingly,' and not just willingly, but also with pleasure!..."

In a sicha of Shabbos Parshas Shelach, Shabbos Mevorchim Tammuz 1963 (section 4) the Rebbe warns about the prohibition of wearing shorts even during vacation and cites Kitzur Shulchan Aruch as the source for this halacha.

Speaking About Private Matters edit

The Rebbe instructed that topics related to matters of tznius should be discussed privately.

Additionally, the Rebbe instructed that in these matters, anywhere there is doubt whether speaking is appropriate in this way or not, one should be strict and not speak or write about it.