As the Yomim Noraim approach many segments of the public are
uniting and raising awareness based on the holy calls by
gedolei Yisroel shlita to reinforce the boundaries of
tznius and kedushas Yisroel in schools and in
every Jewish home through the instructions and guidelines of
Mishmar HaTorah, a special beis din set up to oversee
and buttress the walls of modesty by establishing clear
parameters for proper conduct in Kerem Beis Yisroel.
The beis din has been holding more chizuk
gatherings in chareidi areas and at seminaries around the
country, as well as overseeing clothing stores that agree to
meet the standards set by the beis din and to sell
clothes that meet standards instituted to staunch breaches in
Jewish homes and schools in accordance with the remark by
Maran HaRav Eliashiv shlita that "these regulations
are not excessive stringencies but essential aspects of
Torah" ("takonos elu ainan chumros yeseiros ela hein hein
gufei Torah").
A krias kodesh issued by maranan verabonon
reads: "The issue of modesty and the sanctity of the Jewish
people has always been among the foundations of the religion
of the Israelite nation, and this has distinguished us from
all other nations. In every generation our forefathers were
wholly dedicated to the task of upholding the boundaries of
modesty and buttressing the walls of the religion of Moshe
and Israel. In places where the boundaries of modesty were
breached Rachmono litzlan communities [assimilated]
without a trace. Therefore we have an obligation to set
ourselves apart and distance ourselves from the ways of the
gentiles and the permissiveness of the streets.
"Recently we merited a great reawakening in maintaining the
boundaries of modesty and Jewish sanctity, both at schools
and seminaries as well as in the general public, with the
setup of a special beis din to address these matters,
i.e. Beis Din Tzedek Mishmar HaTorah...
"In our generation, unlike previous generations, many dams
have burst, especially in matters of modest attire. In the
past the legacy was passed from mother to daughter and there
was no need to explicate and clarify this matter, which was
clearly understood, but in our times this situation has
changed and now many outside influences have penetrated, even
into the best homes, unfortunately.
"Therefore, as emissaries of rabbonon, we deem it
necessary to turn to every head of household regarding proper
modes of conduct in Jewish life, particular in the matter of
attire." Attached to the letter is a list of guidelines for
choosing appropriate clothing.
The krias kodesh bears the signatures of Maran HaRav
Eliashiv, Rosh Hayeshiva HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman, the
Admor of Gur, HaRav Shmuel Wosner, the Admor of Belz, HaRav
Yehuda Lefkowitz, the Admor of Sadigora, HaRav Nissim
Karelitz, the Admor of Sanz, HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, HaRav
Shmuel Auerbach, HaRav Yisroel Hagar, the son of the Admor of
Vishnitz, and the Admor of Erlau shlita.
The rabbonim appointed to the beis din are HaRav
Azriel Auerbach, HaRav Yisroel Gans, HaRav Shammai HaKohen
Gross, HaRav Shmuel Dovid HaKohen Gross, HaRav Yitzchok
Darzy, HaRav Naftoli Nussbaum, HaRav Yehuda Silman, HaRav
Moshe Shaul Klein, HaRav Chaim Shmerler and HaRav Boruch
Shraga.
