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The Rebbe during a visit to Camp Gan Yisroel in upstate New York.

The Rebbe’s Annual Call for Summertime Tznius

“Prior to the summer, the Rebbe would – almost annually – discuss the topic of Tznius,” says Oholei Torah Mashpia Rabbi Michoel Seligson. At his suggestion, CrownHeights.info proudly presents a new weekly feature for the summer months, in which a few words of the Rebbe on topic of Tznius will be presented for our readers, as compiled by Rabbi Seligson.

The following is an excerpt of the Rebbe’s Sicha 12th of Tamuz 5723/1963 Sicha #10:

“The time arrived (before the summer) when we need to discuss primarily and primarily the matter of Tznius. Plus the focus on the particulars about tznius of garments; their appropriate length, material should not be transparent, but rather a garment which covers and conceals the body. (Note: how the Rebbe repeated the word “primarily”).

How vital is Tznius? This is understood from the commandment, “You should be holy, because I, G-d, your G-d, is holy” (Kedoshim 25:2). When a Jewish person conducts oneself with tznius, a Jew has the potential to compare oneself to the Almighty, to the sanctity of the Almighty.

As the Maggid of Meztritch explained that by comparing “You should be holy” with “Because I, G-d, your G-d, is holy”, this teaches us that by “You should be holy”, Tznius (dressing modestly), we become closer and connect to “G-d, your G-d, is holy”.

This relates to men and women because the laws of tznius and long garments etc. are relevant to men and women alike.

Coming next week: the unique quality of Tznius by Jewish women.

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14 Comments

  • Baruch HaShem!

    This is a very important and much appreciated endeavor. When I tell someone what the Rebbe said about Tznius, they brush it off with “where is the source”.
    Now I can print these articles, and hopefully they will help my friends and neighbors who are still struggling with this very important mitzva!
    Tizku L’mitzvos.
    P.s. Please consider doing this DAILY or at least several times a week.

    • Did the Rebbe...

      Did the Rebbe say to harass women in the street? In his name no less?

      Absolutely not!

      It’s great if a woman wants to take it upon herself to be stringent and to set a positive example for others.

      It’s also understood that it is a struggle and some women have a more difficult time with it.

      B”H we are human and we have intellect.

  • Sara

    Thank you for posting this. It is a breath of fresh air to hear the topic of Tznius being discussed straight from the Rebbe’s Sichos.May this bring Moshiach Now!

  • tznius with a shturm

    These collections of the Rebbes strong stance on this delicate topic will for once take away those that feel tznius is not a Lubavitcher Mitzva.All taryag apply to all jews .It is a known fact that our schools and families are tolerating breaches in this law which is only accepted in MO circles.I want fto hear one of Rabbani Anash who allows girls placing their pictures on facebook or allowing women not to wear socks etc etc.

    • Anonymous

      That does also apply to reform, conservative, modern, secular and the non-religious Jews?

      You said all?

    • Yes to #5

      All taryag apply to all Jews.
      Just because a Jew is ignorant or chooses not to observe one of the taryag mitzvos does not mean that the mitzva doesn’t apply to him. Even the most agnostic or athiestic Jew is still bound by ALL the taryag mitzvos!

  • crown heights has a problem with this..

    its hard not to notice, how short the skirts have become, how sheer the fabric is, what these young women and married women are wearing….. also noticed lots of exposed hair….

  • tznius with a shturm

    Let us once for all say those that dont follow the guidelines of Shulcan Urach can not be considered the Rebbis Chasidimatm ost mekuravim.You cant be mainstream Lubavitch and wear fabric which is sheer.The comments about tznius in the Rebbes shecunah are patheitc.

    • Who voted you in???

      Did anyone vote you in to decide to rewrite history???

      This was not the way of the Rebbe and if you can’t understand that then YOU are not an emmesser chossid!

  • CrownHeightser

    Lets not get carried away
    The Rebbe did not mean we should be more Tzniusdig then the Rebbetzin

    • Careful what you say #10

      Are you a Crown Heightser or hipster?Learn the halachos. Tznius in your own home is not the same as in public. The rebbitzen was a very private person, and all photos of her were in private settings, not on Kingston or in shul.

  • Thank you

    Rabbi Seligson may it be a z’chus for you and your family. Ashreinu that we have Chassidim Yerei Shomayim in this generation.

  • For one and all -

    It is not for us to pick or choose. Torah and mitzvos apply to one and all. From ultra orthodox to reform. Nobody is exempt. We all vie for the benefits the Torah offers, dont we?
    So don’t come with all those bubkas – not upto that yet….
    to #2 – what do you mean it’s great… are you a rov or mashpia? what heter is there? Tznius is Torahs Moshe and ‘you’ can’t decide. In business do you also say it’s great when you earn $4.25 an hour for that’s all you are worth? The value of a Yid is to go up and over and if you are struggling then that is where your avoda shall be.
    Kol Hakovod that CH.info has undertaken this mission! Stand tall and proud! That’s called a soldier not only in the Rebbe’s army but in Tzivos HASHEM!
    May it be a zechus for your business.