The following are the decisions reached at the Kenes
Chizuk on the issues of tsnius that was held on motzei
Shabbos parshas Chayei Soroh, 5767.
1. Each and every individual has an obligation to ensure that
his wife's and daughters' attire meets accepted standards of
modesty, both in terms of covering the body and clothing
styles — at all times and in all places.
2. One of the great stumbling blocks in our generation is
garments that are not loose enough, which are included under
abizraihu degilui arayos — accessories to
forbidden relations.
Therefore it is imperative to see to the following:
* Shirts, skirts, sweaters, etc., should be loose enough
* Knit fabrics such as Lycra, tricot, and other stretch
fabrics — are forbidden to wear
* Clothes must not be see-through
* Shirts should extend at least 10 cm (4 inches) below the
waistline to ensure that there is cover in every movement
* Collars should be properly closed
* Sleeves should cover the elbows at all times
3. Recently there has been a serious breach regarding skirt
length. One must be sure the skirt extends from the waist
down to the middle of the calf. (And as stated above, skirts
must be loose enough.)
4. Those who wear wigs should make sure they are not too long
and should refrain from wearing models that have always been
forbidden.
5. Ladies, young ladies and girls should be inculcated with
the notion pride in modest attire and conduct is in keeping
with the verse, "And his heart was lifted up in the ways of
Hashem" (Divrei Hayomim II, 17:6), and praise should
be given to those who practice stringencies to further guard
themselves in this matter. Schools and seminaries should
integrate the study of these halochos in their curriculum.
May it be the Will of Ovinu ShebaShomayim that by
strengthening ourselves in the bounds of modesty we merit the
Divine Presence in Am Yisroel and the sound of the
shofar of Moshiach speedily in our days, amen.
* * *
The decisions reached at the conference were reviewed by
HaRav Yosef Sholom Eliashiv, HaRav Aharon Yehuda Leib
Shteinman, HaRav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz, HaRav Yitzchok
Scheiner, HaRav Shmuel Auerbach and HaRav Nosson Tzvi Finkel
shlita.
Signing for the sake of strengthening the religious tenets of
the rabbonim geonim shlita,
HaRav Ezriel Auerbach
HaRav Yisroel Ganz
HaRav Tzvi Weber
