tzniut/midah hamakom

Asked by Rachel Cohen · May 28, 2003 · Other

Question

1- what are the real halachot about wearing pants? i am looking for an answer other than "you just can't". Why is it that peaopl have such a problem with it and yet i never learned where it says that Jews cannot wear pants. Explain please............. 2- i know that you should dress the way the rest of you neighborhood is dressed (midah hamakom) but what if your neighborhood is Brooklyn where its a mixture than what do you do?

Answer

Answered by Aaron Abadi

1) From an Halachah standpoint, it used to be a problem, because it was a man's clothing. Nowadays they make women's pants and that is not an issue. Tight pants would be the same as a tight skirt or dress & would be a lack of Tzniut (modesty). Don't forget, there was a time that even men didn't wear pants. I'm sure the first hundred years or so, the people gave those men a hard time for wearing pants. Tzniut is regulated by the local attire, beyond certain basic rules. Move to a town where pants is OK, and avoid the aggravation.... 2) If there are areas where they dress like you want, then you are fine. ......But don't forget the basics that no community can change: > A married woman must cover her hair. > You must have sleeves to cover to your elbow. > You must cover till your ankle (although some say till your knee) > You must cover till your kneck within reason. It ain't easy, but the law is the law. AA