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Letter from Rabbonim about Kosher Wigs

Dear Neighbor and Friend,

Lately, women in Eretz Yisrael and throughout the world have enacted a great kiddush Hashem, both as they patiently waited for a ruling to issue forth from our godol hador, HaRav Eliashiv, shlita, and after hearing his psak, when they immediately refrained from wearing those sheitels which originated in India and are to be considered idolatrous offerings. Surely this great merit will stand solidly for the redemption and consolation of all Klal Yisrael.

Today, when many of us are about to purchase new sheitels, we have an ideal opportunity to make a special effort to raise our standards concerning the styles of sheitels that we choose, so that whoever buys one will only consider purchasing a truly modest-looking wig. As women who publicly proved ourselves as subservient to da'as Torah in such a wonderful manner, we surely wish to maintain this high level in every aspect of our behavior, in order to please our Creator.

It is obvious that the commandment of covering one's hair was given to the married woman in order to reinforce her modesty even more than that of a single woman. A Jewish woman's hair covering is her crowning glory! The Gedolei haPoskim have stated that a wig which appears so natural as to deceive others that its wearer is unmarried, or one that draws attention to itself, is totally inconsistent with the principle of head covering; it negates its very purpose.

"Wigs that are longer than the base of the back of the neck (the first vertebra of the spine) or unruly hairstyles negate the concept of tzniyus and are forbidden."

(From a statement disseminated several years ago by R' Yosef Shalom Eliashiv, shlita, R' S. haLevi Wozner, shlita, R' Nissim Karelitz, shlita, R' S. Silverstien, shlita, R' M.Z. Luria, shlita, and R' S.Z. Auerbach ztzvk"l, R' Ben Zion Abba Shaul ztzvk"l, R' Y. Tzadka, ztzvk"l.)

A Letter from Women If the hair of a wig is styled in such a manner as to closely resemble natural hair and is almost impossible to distinguish from the real thing, there is a contradiction and inconsistency in purpose! Others observing a woman with such a wig are apt to think she is not covering her hair at all and that she is unmarried! This is, of course, a terrible deception, a breach of tzniyus, a pitfall threatening Jewish sanctity! Troubles beset our people, said the Chafetz Chaim, because of breaches in tzniyus, especially with regard to head covering. "And He will turn away from you," Hashem removes His Providence and protection from us, chas vesholom, when we are lax in these vital matters. In these times, when so many troubles beset us as a klal and individually, we must search our ways in order to improve, especially in the area of tzniyus and specifically by improving the style of our wigs. Let us take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity that has come our way, and upgrade our level of modesty in this crucial area! In the hope that these words, written from a loving heart, fall upon open, receptive ears. Your loving and caring sisters: (02)537-3092 / (02)537-8927 I have seen what's written in here and I certify its contents, blessed be those who take advantage of an opportune time to strengthen their observance of the Torah. Harav Yisroel Ganz Shlita I certainly encourage those who strengthen Klal Yisroel for the sake of tzniyus. Harav Yehoshua Neuwirth Shlita The above said is clear and correct to strengthen the holy Torah on its foundations and it is certain that in the observance of the above we will merit the full revelation of the Shechinah hakedoshoh. Harav Mordechai Gross Shlita

Related Material:

• The Great Sheitel Kiddush Hashem -- The Factual And Halachic Background
• Letter from HaRav Eliashiv
• Shearis Yisroel Rabbonim Issue Directives Regarding Wigs -- Naturally Light-Colored Sheitels OK
• The Importance of Sheitels in our Troubled Times
• Wigwarn vs. Wigworn
• In Defense of Appearance' Sake
• Hats On

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