Q&A: On the Obligation of Modesty for Women
On the Obligation of Modesty for Women
Question
Hello Rabbi,
Is there a prohibition for a woman to go dressed immodestly in front of strangers (Torah-level or rabbinic), or is it only because of "do not place a stumbling block"? And accordingly, what is the boundary regarding how much effort a woman is obligated to make, beyond which the man is responsible to keep away and she may do as she wishes?
Practically speaking, if one goes to a secluded beach… does the fact that people occasionally pass by require modest dress? And if one can see from afar that there are people and take another route? Is there a difference between Jews passing by and non-Jews passing by?
Answer
Hello Yitzhak. This is a difficult question, and it has no clear boundary.
Regarding the obligations of modesty, see the book by Rabbi Hever (from Karnei Shomron), who summarized the various opinions on this. And also see the article by my friend Nadav Shnerb in Akdamot.
He argues that the basis of the laws of modesty is not causing men to stumble, since in that respect the obligation is on them.
In general, it is clear that when a woman is going about her way (and not in the public domain) and in her normal manner, she has the right to walk however she wants. And if someone passes there, he should be careful. By the way, where there is no other route, it is permitted for him as well, so she is not causing him to stumble (see Babylonian Talmud, Pesachim 25).
If we are talking about modesty not from the laws of causing stumbling, there is no difference between a Jew and a non-Jew. But even regarding causing stumbling, the prohibition of "do not place a stumbling block" also applies in relation to non-Jews. The question is whether forbidden sights were also prohibited to non-Jews. Presumably this is no worse than a physical stumbling block, even if there is no formal halakhic prohibition incumbent on them.