At a recent Shiur (Shabbos Parshas Balak), Crown Heights Mashpia Rabbi Michoel Seligson quoted a Sicha of the Rebbe, in which he says that women observing the laws of Tznius protect the Jewish people in the land of Israel from harm.
Some of those present asked Rabbi Seligson for the source of this Sicha, which he provided, and sent it to us as well to share with the broader Chabad community.
Excerpt of the Rebbe’s talk to Kinus Nshei Ubnos Chabad, Iyar 28, 5730 (1970):
“.. And it should be as we have just read (in the Parsha), “You will live safely in your land” (plus every Jew where ever they find themselves) in a manner of “You will sleep without fear”, there will be no need for a watchman. . .because the Almighty watches, about whom it is said, “The guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.”
For the this (above protection) we also need to observe tznius (modest dress), as the verse states “Since G-d, your G-d is accompanying your camp” (because) “he does not see any immorality in you”; when the Almighty sees that by the Jewish nation, wherever they are, there is no lack of tznius – then the Almighty is between them to “save you and to place your enemies before you”, that the Jewish needs to do nothing on its own, because the Almighty saves them, and with his own energy “Places your enemies before you”, that they are all destroyed, and fall before the Jews.
To the extent that “His enemies (of the Jewish nation) make peace with him”, and “I will grant peace in the land”, that the enemies are converted and become those who make peace and beg for peace with the Jews. . .”
Likutei Sichos vol. 8 page 226-227
Did you type the number correctly? Did you mean #46?
The way to c”v hurt the hidden is through immorality (lack of צניעות)
The message is very clear.צניעות brings security.
What do you consider disrespect since none else matters to you besides clothing?
People wantonly disrespect their own person in public all day long…
And you qualm about people disrespecting money and others.
How will anyone respect another when they cannot even respect themselves, and acknowledge what respect even is, and even go so far as to flaunt disrespect.
Get well soon.
Sincerely.
I’m not sure about your particular family. But, I think in general there has to be a pride in looking respectable. We can not mix fasionable with beautiful. Do we point out and compliment the women, who look well dressed and Tznius. Are we role-modeling self-pride? Are we giving over to our children through our vibes speech and action, that Tznius is the in a
nd with -it thing? Since Hashem is our main boss, He’s the one we have to please, not the Lehavdil random person who decided what will be fashionable for now.
The newspapers. The police. Do that patrolling and public warning already. The temptations for that type of behavior (which, granted, for some people is really strong.) Are offset, by the punishment that we see happened to those who violate those laws.
Tznius on the other hand is a temptation that doesn’t violate any US laws, but is so hard for some of us. Some of us struggle every day… Rabbis who really care, (and of course the Rebbe) are always giving us encouragement, because e need it…
The newspapers. The police. Do that patrolling and public warning already. The temptations for that type of behavior (which, granted, for some people is really strong.) Are offset, by the punishment that we see happened to those who violate those laws.
Tznius on the other hand is a temptation that doesn’t violate any US laws, but is so hard for some of us. Some of us struggle every day… Rabbis who really care, (and of course the Rebbe) are always giving us encouragement, because e need it…
The newspapers. The police. Do that patrolling and public warning already. The temptations for that type of behavior (which, granted, for some people is really strong.) Are offset, by the punishment that we see happened to those who violate those laws.
Tznius on the other hand is a temptation that doesn’t violate any US laws, but is so hard for some of us. Some of us struggle every day… Rabbis who really care, (and of course the Rebbe) are always giving us encouragement, because e need it…
My daughter is a good girl, shes frum in all ways, davens and all, but when it comes to dressing its different… the skirts are starting to not fully cover her knees and it has been slowly deteriorating. her clothing get tighter and flashier as time passes… What do I do about it?? She is at a marriageable age and if I say something, she wont listen… It seems that it has become the new standard… shes just copying her friends… She would never dream to go against halacha in any other matter, even minor things, but when it comes… Read more »
Just go & ask other communities ex. boro park where there are MANY MANY women who dress tznius & fashionable,No contradiction! perhaps it takes extra time ,extra money..But we are yidden & we dont get deterred from that. And doesnt Kosher food cost more & less accesable in many areas,what about finding mehuder’dig Esrog,what about nice Tfillin for a few thosand $,etc. etc. ,& what about when we buy jewelery etc. things we dont just buy anything !we look till we find WHAT WE LIKE, so likewise if we know the vitality & preciosness of tznius,we’ll do the same. And… Read more »
Many people have merited big yeshuos as a result of alleviating their level of tsnius.
I myself had amazing yeshuos twice after learning the book: “daughters of dignity” during 40 days and taking extra hachlotos to improve my tsnius. One of them just happened now.
Ahavas Yisroel and tzneeus are BOTH important. Can we grow up and stop looking for excuses?
We have to make it very clear Tznius is the essence of the jewish woman (“kol kvudah etc.”),
Instead of attacking #3 ( and I don’t think she/he is advocating a lack of Tznius) it might be helpful to take a longer look at what # 1 is saying so beautifully. “Portraying ourselves as Jews..” thank you for your thought-provoking perspective! Let’s stop viewing Tznius as a set of rules put down by a particular group or school, but as something profoundly connected to the essence of a Jew, man, woman or child.
to all yopu naysayers… 2 wrongs don’t make a right. whether people deal honestly or not is not the discussion, that is the diversion of this topic. You seem to be bothered by Yidden encouraging others to follow halacha, meaning tznius, so why are you bothered by them not following other rules. Maybe YOU should tackle that issue. Can you explain your comparison of one to the other?? Halacha needs to be followed, so thank those that have taken it upon themselves to bring brocha to Klal Yisroel through encouraging tznius. Did you have a problem when the Rebbe spoke… Read more »
It sounds like what we are missing is hiskashrus. Since the Rebbe said tznius is a big issue, work on it! Let’s all work on our hiskashrus!
what about all the buchurim and men that shave their beards, how come thats nevor a issue
Many women need moral support and encouragement to be able to keep to the standards of Tznius. It is increasingly difficult to find clothing for women that are within the standards of Tznius. Don’t assume that those who don’t dress Tznius are doing so deliberately. Women have an innate desire to dress and look fashionable, and it is VERY hard to find a medium of looking fashionable AND Tznius at the same time. Making statements like “short skirts shortens life” or “Lack of Tznius causes tragedies” does absolutely nothing to help the situation. In my opinion, the BEST thing that… Read more »
yes there are other issues as #3 mentioned that need to be addressed big time. But, common now, let’s be realistic tznius is plummeting in CH. Is this what the Rebbe wanted??????? CH should stay the shechuna and not become the next hipster neighborhood.
True beauty lies within. There should be no need to dress and parade one’s body immodestly.
I agree with No.3. there are so many other issues going on in Crown Heights, but they dont want to talk about it, all they do is bring up the topic about Tznius
Here’s the thing: anyone who, G-d forbid, commits fraud, isn’t going to listen to a rabbi. But there’s a chazaka that people of the feminine gender have listened more diligently to the words and spirit of Torah. For Torah sheb’al Peh, the Oral Tradition is epitomized by Malchut, a feminine quality. Read just a few of the Rebbe’s letters, and you’ll see that without modesty *as defined by Torah* there is nothing. “Akeret habayis”, contrary to the secular interpretation which tried to usurp the term, is a term of the highest honor—“the mainstay of the home”. Why cut corners on… Read more »
once i was on mivtzoim by a table and a not tznius lady walked up to us. i thought she was not frum untill her husband came and he had a yalmuka tzitzis and beard. he was lubavitch
the more obsessed with tznius the more perverted in private. I have seen this first hand, way too often in this community. a clean mind doesn’t obsess with inches here and bits of skin there. i know people who flaunt their chitas with their skirt 10 inches below their knees and their necklines tied back with countless safety pins who have destroyed families with their lack of holy behavior. and I know people who may wear colored nail polish but would never do such things and are pure in thoughts and action. and i know holy looking men who would… Read more »
Nowadays tsnius applies to men as the wider acceptability of men dressing not quite like chassidim is prevalent. Even more troubling is tsnius in what they do on their devices. Keeping our camp holy goes waaay beyond a woman’s outfit.
The examples you list would require that at people, including rabbonim, follow choshen mishpot, even if that would cost them financially. Pointing fingers at others clothes and speech and behavior is simpler and a lot less expensive.
This is soo true…it does become a bit tiresome when big issues are not dealt with or discussed and womans clothes and the minutiae of womans body which should covered is constantly mentioned like ut will solve every issue.
When will sefer Kvuda Bas Melech be reprinted?
Who gives you a right to parade down kingston ave.(or any other street)dressed the way you are??you are all aware that this is not chasidishkeit we’re discussing here.you are no better than a person who is mechalel shabbos,r”l.this is a הלכה!!! The least you can do is(if you can’t control your yetzer horo(which i don’t believe for a second)),LEAVE OUR SHCHUNAH! YOU ARE NOT HAPPY WITH YOURSELF. Get some therapy.oy,my heart bleeds for these kids.nebach.
Tznius leads to Kdusha
We always blame non tznius women for the way they are dressed ….but we always forget to encourage women and thanks them for what they are doing on everyday basics ….
They are our sisters , mothers , grandmothers – go surprise one with a call phone , a nice bouquet , a new tznius outfit or take her to a walk , go visit your bubby in the nursing home – make any act of kindness to the women in your family first …..
It will be more powerful than all talking about the topic …….
The newspapers. The police. Do that patrolling and public warning already. The temptations for that type of behavior (which, granted, for some people is really strong.) Are offset, by the punishment that we see happened to those who violate those laws.
Tznius on the other hand is a temptation that doesn’t violate any US laws, but is so hard for some of us. Some of us struggle every day… Rabbis who really care, (and of course the Rebbe) are always giving us encouragement, because e need it…
Jion the tznius contest of project eden thats what it is based on to protect israel and am Yisroel.call ur daughters camp and see of they joined in to project eden so ur daughter can have an incentive to dress tznius.
But, that doesn’t take away the need for tznius
Tznius is not just about clothing, it is a mindset which ensures that we speak respectfully, exhibit honesty in everything we do and treat others kindly.
Wow, thank you for this! it’s amazing and empowering to realize that every day simply by dressing modestly I am helping the safety of my brothers and sisters in the Holy Land!
I have never heard that one doesn’t take a subject seriously due to the fact that there are other subjects to take seriously. To make such a comment is a cop out, a defensive attempt to delegitimize a subject that is uncomfortable (for some). Tzniyus or lack thereof is prevalent, open, out there in front of you and thus easier to address than all the money issues brought up in the comment, as, with a very few exceptions that make it to the papers (particularly if it’s a Jew), we have no idea how the majority of individuals handle their… Read more »
Those are important issues to, but tznius is a unique and deeply holy mitzvah. There is so much power in it and separates the Jewish people from the nations of the world. It was tznius, lashon hakodesh, and our Jewish names that we merited to leave mitzrayim. May we all be inspired and not feel it is a burden or limitation, but be excited at the opportunity to affect the world in such a deep, hidden, holy way.
If someone doesn’t want to take tznius seriously,it’s an internal issue. That individual needs to look MATURELY and HONESTLY within to discover what ‘s the cause of the chisoron instead of blaming it on this or that.
i agree with No.3…Tznius is important very important but no 3 is right all other issues ignored
The newspapers. The police. Do that patrolling and public warning already. The temptations for that type of behavior (which, granted, for some people is really strong.) Are offset, by the punishment that we see happened to those who violate those laws.
Tznius on the other hand is a temptation that doesn’t violate any US laws, but is so hard for some of us. Some of us struggle every day… Rabbis who really care, (and of course the Rebbe) are always giving us encouragement, because e need it…
That’s the easy way out. “I don’t have to change because someone else…”. Instead of looking for faults in the messenger, let’s focus on the message. The message transcends people and their imperfections.
This shows the power of women that a simple thing of just dress can acamplish so much! !! This should bring out pride.
Tznius is for men too
“Yes, but…” is rooted in klipah. It reminds me of the Miraglim who when they returned said the land is fantastic….”yes but”….
Why not just tell everybody to start paying attention to conduct themselves the proper way. In all aspects of life
If I heard rabbonim discussing other critical issues (for example, not stealing or cheating on taxes, not engaging in welfare fraud, teachers being paid on time, … issues involving money and men) even a fraction of the time they discuss women and tniyus, I’d be able to take them a whole lot more seriously.
I fully encourage and endorse this most important campaign. No greater channel to bring brochos to all the family and avoid tragedy than to ‘Cover Up’. We as chassisidim of the Rebbe must set the example to the world. We all believe Moshiach is coming any moment so let us make sure all dresses cover the knee when seated and cover up elsewhere too. How embarassed one would be if Moshiac h cam and one had to run home to get changed!!!?? This what the Rebbe meant about Boruch Habo Melech Hamoshiach. If Moshiach arrives at our door and we… Read more »
That is so inspiring! To know that my struggle and victories isn’t only for my own benefit ( like the Rebbe ALWAYS quotes the zohar that “tzniyus brings all Brachos of health, parnassah, shalom basis, nachas) but is also helping my broader family, all of klal yisroel, to be safer and healthier! I guess it kind of makes sense that respecting ourselves is linked to respecting others… And that tzniyus, which is really about portraying ourselves as Jews with jewish values of privacy, holiness of the body and of relationships, will bring Hashem’s presence, comfort, and pride amidst all the… Read more »