Q&A: Modesty
Modesty
Question
Modesty is mainly a cultural matter. Now, we have the things that the Sages ruled should never be exposed (the thigh, back, chest, etc.). But if modesty is a cultural matter, then isn’t it a bit strange that the Sages made definitions that would not change no matter what cultural shifts take place in reality?
And in addition, does the Rabbi think that over time women will be able to walk around in pants (not tight ones, but like those worn by average men), a short-sleeved shirt, or a loose tank top, because little by little we’ll get used to it and “human nature” will change?
And if the Rabbi has an article on the topic of modesty, I’d be happy if you could point me to it.
Answer
I don’t have an article. What the Sages established has a different status, because it is a ruling issued by an authorized institution. To revoke or change it requires another ruling by an authorized institution (a matter decided by a counted body requires another counted body to permit it). Even so, there is room for changes even in this. I discussed this at length in the third book of the trilogy and in the article on changing enactments that appears here. Things whose source is not in the Sages certainly depend on time and place.
Thus, for example, in my opinion there is no halakhic problem with wearing pants, since today they are not considered men’s clothing. In questions of modesty, one should use common sense.