Rebbe: Tznius Brings About Protection of Israel

At a recent Shiur, 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

28 Comments

  • Thank you for sharing!

    I’m going to try to improve, at least a little. And hopefully move up and up. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

  • Tznius for men and for women

    Since when did Tznius become synonymous with woman? Tznius applies to men as much as to women. This Posuk that the Rebbe quotes talks about the ‘camps’ of the army, which consists of men (not of women), and the Posuk clearly says that the Tznius will be in the ‘camp’ (of men) then hashem will protect.

    True, the Rebbe spoke this Sicha to women, but you cannot exclude the simple meaning of the Posuk which talks about and to men. All the Rebbe does, is to include women to give them the Zchus and to add them also to help in the protection of the army camps.

    Perhaps if we would stop misapplying the concept of Tznius to be something that applies only to women, and men will stop talking down to women about ‘their’ lack of Tznius, the entire Tznius scene will change for the better, because words of truth penetrate the heart, as opposed to misrepresentation of Halacha and concepts of halacha which leads only to confusion and failure.

    May we succeed in creating this ‘camp’ where Hashem can accompany us and protect us all.

  • DON'T GIVE AN INCH!

    These are famous words of the Rebbe in regards to Eretz Yisroel. Yet, many don’t realize that by taking inches off the beautiful HALACHOS of Tznius that we are not only hurting ourselves, but also others. This special mitzvah has been given to protect us in many ways.
    It’s time to stop, think about what we are doing, for whatever reason, and make positive changes. Forget the past and just start moving in the right direction.
    The Rebbe is directing us as always. Thank you for publicizing this sicha.

  • thank you!

    Very timely. Ladies (and men) take heed. We have to improve the level of Tznius in Crown Heights. It’s pikuach nefesh!

  • No more Chabad lite says..

    Well said!! But in truth it shouldn’t take a crisis in EY for the Rabonnim to start emphasizing the importance of zniyus.. It is basic Halocho in shulchan Aruch and particularly for Chassidishe women it should be a given…

  • with the old breed

    thank you, this is something that will protect all of our children!

  • Anonymous

    please publish also exactly, what the Rebbe said about the lenght of wicks, etc. … you will see, that there is lot to improve with all These fancy wicks!!!!

    • Length of wicks

      Yes we should use extra long wicks when lighting shabbos candles. It is a hiddur and a segulah for long life.

  • agree withh # 2

    See very clear concise and short but powerful message (in bold typeface) likutei Sichos vol 13 p. 84 addressed to to both men and women on tznius especially in the summer and in the bungalows and women.
    it reads: וכאן המקום להדגיש בהענין שהזמ”ג: אותם “המקילים” בכמה עניני צניעות בקייץ, ובפרט – כשנמצאים בדירת עראי מחוץ לעיר. ומהם האומרים: אחטא ואשוב – כאשר אשוב העירה. ונוגע להנהגת אנשים ג”כ, ובפרט – לנשים, שהרי כאו”א מהן נקראת “עקרת הבית”. ויש להאריך. ואכ”מ.

  • men & women

    actually alsmot annually before the summer, the Rebbe would address this issue.

    in fact in the 1960’s when they wrote to the Rebbe about accidents in a bungalow colony, the Rebbe’s response was to enhance the tznious

  • Yasher Koach for publicizing

    Nothing new, yet as timely as when it was originally said. That is Torah. Torah is our protection in every area!

  • missed the point

    Its not about men or women. Its about each person learning the sicha and doing their part. So if you’re a man, you might be more careful about wearing a hat and jacket in the street, and if you are a women you may want to be more careful not to wear tight fitted clothing or a long sheitel.
    Each person, on their level. The bottom line is, we all NEED to do something.
    In this zechus we should merit moshiach now!!

  • TO #2 & #8

    I am a woman of Crown Heights (not a man talking down to women) and I am repulsed at how the women walk around totally unashamed! Yes, tznius applies to men as well, but I don’t see men walking around three quarters naked and with clothes that is skin tight so that they may as well not be wearing it at all. Included as well the pregnant ladies who think they are tznius because the sleeves are long enough but the rest is sooooooooooooooooooooooo tight as to be downright UGLY (aside for totally NOT tzniusdik)
    AND #8 The fact is the Rabbonim didn’t wait for a crisis to talk about this issue. I know for a fact that they have been harping about this issue for years until they were blue in the face. WHAT MAKES THIS YOUNGER GENERATION OF WOMEN THINK THAT WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS OKAY???? Do they think at all (or care) of what affect this will absolutely have on their children???!!!!!

    • Anonymous

      You can’t compare clothing between men and women.that is a bad comparison. You are worried with appearance, but I’m worried about nasty attitudes.

    • I'm so with you,

      and to #20, I remember so clearly when Rabbi Marlow A”H stressed the importance of tzinus for men – yes men – with emphasis on hats, jackets, beards and visible payos. Where have all the payos gone?

  • Tznius protects

    Thank you for finally addressing this critical issue in our community. Is this the same sicha where the Rebbe compares modest dress to actual weapons that protect Eretz Yisrael?
    Ladies, we must encourage each other, and not be afraid of, or even bullied by immodesty. If you see something, say something.
    To our schools, PLEASE ENFORCE YOUR DRESS CODES WITH TEACHERS/STAFF. This has a tremendous impact on our innocent and impressionable girls.
    Thank you again for the article.

  • To: Length of wicks (#11)

    To: Length of wicks (#11)

    I think the comment meant “length of WIGS” not length of wicks! But it is true that it is a hiddur to have longer candles / wicks burning, so you made a good point.

  • tznius with a shturm

    The mitzva of chabad in todays times is to work on tznius and to keep it with hidurim.There should be clear guidelines from our Rabbanim. I deal with the misnagdesher frumer crowd they have 2 books on this topic.There should be clear halachos for Anash.

    • We have our seforim too!

      Kol Kvuda Bas Melech by Rabbi Weiner is a chabad sefer with clear halochas.

      Besides there is no “machlokes” between “our” tznius and Rabbi Falk’s Halichos Bas Yisroel or similar seforim.

  • tznius with a shturm

    The letzuna hador which dont realizs all of chabad and what the Rebbe wanted from us will fall without correcting tznius issues.We must make a shturm how chabad has fallen in this area we must show the world what right and wrong is.

  • dys

    Now there is a new sefer out by the Rebbe himself called כבודה בת מלך – a 200 page book in Hebrew/English all on Tznius!