Q&A: Modesty
Modesty
Question
A. What is the required length of a wig, and likewise the parameters for all forms of dress, since these are not spelled out in the Shulchan Arukh?
B. Is it permitted for a woman to behave immodestly when she is not among Jews and all the women there also behave immodestly as well (for example, taking off clothes at a beach abroad)?
C. Why is one specifically obligated to rule דווקא in accordance with the Shulchan Arukh, rather than each person being able to decide for himself according to his own understanding of the Talmud?
Answer
A. I am not familiar with a defined measure for that.
B. Modesty is not only about preventing a stumbling block for men who look; it is also a value in itself (even if not necessarily a matter of Jewish law). See the article by my friend Nadav Sneharb:
https://bmj.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/29.2.Snerb_.pdf
C. In fact there is no necessity to do so, and in my opinion it is not even appropriate. See my article on autonomy in halakhic rulings.