In memory of Chaya Mirel bat R’ Avraham

In memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

Sources on tzniut
August 16, 2011

Question

Hello.

I am trying to find sources in the Shulchan Aruch for the laws of tsniut. I am living in a community where many women are quite lax concerning dress and “minhag hamakom” is confusing. I would like to be able to say to my children, “We do this because it says in masechta/daf (fill in the blank) that it is Halacha.” I also am looking for modern responsa (Rav Moshe Feinstein, perhaps) on the subject.

Thank you.

Answer

We can highly recommend the following resources:

The Deracheha website has a number of articles on the topic of tzniut. See here for a conceptual introduction, and here for a more specific discussion of clothing. Choose the “In Depth” tabs for a detailed source-based discussion.

Rav Getsel Ellinson’s book, The Modest Way (in Hebrew, Hatzene’a Lechet) is an accessible compendium of traditional sources, from the gemara to more modern responsa, and includes discussions of dress.

Our site’s founding halachic supervisor, Rav Yehuda H Henkin z”l, wrote an important and comprehensive article on the topic. It can be found online in Tradition, and is the title essay in his book Understanding Tzniut.

Behatzlacha!

This response was updated on 3 May, 2021.
Facebook
WhatsApp
Email

Yoatzot Halacha: Answering Women’s Halachic Questions

 Appreciate Yoatzot Halacha?

Support our work & allow your donation to make a difference.

Accessibility Toolbar

Welcome to Our New Site!

We’re still in the process of bringing over our full archive of Q&As. Stay with us as we continue to update all our content and features.
Thank you for your patience, and please feel free to share feedback or let us know if you’re looking for something specific.