Inspiration from the Rebbe
Teachings and guidance highlighting the central role of tznius in Jewish life.
Inspiration from the Rebbe
Tsnius – The Measure of Yiras Shomayim
In a Yechidus with Harav Mordecai Shmuel Ashkenazi and his wife in Tishrei of 5729, the Rebbe said:
"אבן-הבוחן ליראת-שמים היא צניעות וטהרה"
(The test which is indicative of [the level of one's] yiras shomayim is tznius and taharah).
(Printed in HaKfar Shel HaRebbe, Issue 3, Teives 5770)
Foundation of Jewish Life
Tsnius is one of the main foundations of Jewish life, as is written "walk tsniusly with Hashemyour G-d"
(Igros Kodesh vol.26, p.324)
Hastens the True and Complete Geulah
According to what is explained in the writings of the Arizal, our generation is a gilgul of the generation that left Egypt. Just as they were redeemed from Egypt in the merit of the righteous women of that generation, so too will the redemption from this last galus be in the merit of the righteous women in our generation.
It is understood that adding in tsnius of nshei and bnos Yisroel hastens the true and
complete Geulah...
(Hisvaaduyos 5751, vol.1, p.143
Crown and Glory of Bnos Yisroel
[Tsnius] is the crown and glory of bnos Yisroel, as each one is called the daughter of Sara, Rivkah, Rachel and Leah, bnos Yisroel in every place, and how much more so in Erez Hakdosha, the land which Hashem's eyes are on it from the beginning of the year until the end of the year. This special role belongs to Jewish women, which are called the akares habayis, the foundation of beis Yisroel — both individual [home] and the klal [Jewish nation]. Corresponding with the great responsibility and role of n'shei Yisroel in the matter of tsnius — so too is their reward great, and is explained in the Zohar hakadosh, in drawing down bracha in the home and family.
(Igros Kodesh, vol.25, p.215)
True Beauty
"שקר החן והבל היופי אשה יראת ה' היא תתהלל"
The (physical) chen (grace/charm) and beauty are nothing other than deceit and emptiness on their own, but, when the main thing is present, "אשה יראת ה'" (a G-d fearing woman) then " היא תתהלל" (she will be praised), also with beauty and chen kepshutam (literal).
(Hisvaaduyos, 5746, vol.3, p.115), Hatznea Leches p.258
Tsnius is the Wall Protecting Klal Yisroel
The Rebbe continued with specific directives...
The Rebbe concluded that this is a critical issue, since tznius is the wall protecting klal Yisroel, and more must be done, and the more the better.
(Lmaan Yishmeu issue 259)
Brachos from Tsnius
A woman's strengthening in the ways of tsnius – is a sure path to health, parnassa, and an abundance of true nachas from children and grandchildren.
(Igros Kodesh, vol.20, p.204)
All the King’s Daughter’s Glory is Internal
"כל כבודה בת מלך פנימה"
The true beauty of a Jewish woman is "all of the King's daughter’s glory is internal", the matter of tsnius, which brings to and assists to the kehuna gdolah.
(Likkutei Sichos, vol.1, p.96)
Tsnius — Dwelling Place for the Shechinah
Even though the bracha is connected with keeping Torah and mitzvos in general...
In the conclusion of the brachos is emphasized the special importance of kedusha, tahara and tsnius. This is because they are the foundation for the mishkan of Hashem and for the dwelling of the Schina among the Jewish people in general and each Yid, man or woman, in particular.
(Likkutei Sichos vol.7, p.360-361)
The Merit of Kimchis — Full Original Passage
Chazal tell us about the exalted tznius of a woman by the name Kimchis. She had seven sons, and all served as Kohen Gadol. Chachomim asked her: What did you do to merit this? She said to them: All my days the walls of my home never saw my hair.
From this story there is much to learn about the maala of tznius, but it is possible to learn even more about the devotion to chinuch banim. Kimchis could have been satisfied with having only one or two of her sons meriting to be Kohen Gadol. Also one son being a Kohen Gadol is a very great and special merit. Why did she insist that all seven of her sons merit Kehuna Gdola?
The answer is this – because it was in her ability to do so. Because it was possible for her to reach this, that all seven of her sons would be Kohanim Gdolim, she did it. When a woman has the ability to educate her children and bring them to high achievements – it is her duty to do so.
Particularly the women of Yisroel were commanded in this, since on them is dependent the chinuch of sons and daughters. They need to know that their conduct needs to be in such a way that they are able to raise sons to be Kohanim Gdolim.
(Hisvaaduyos, vol.2, p.319), Shaarei Chinuch p.63