Community Magazine July - August 2003

16 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE s ” xc A MISUNDERSTOOD CONCEPT Some elements of Judaism are so inexorably bound to the Torah that it would be preposterous to believe that one could achieve any measure of Jewish observance in their absence. Perhaps the most unpopular and least understood of these issues is Tzniut (modesty). Chief among misconceptions about Tzniut is that it is a subject exclusively for ladies. This is simply not true. Tzniut is a non-prej- udiced, non-biased Torah concept that applies to men and women alike. A passage in the Torah asks, “What does G-d expect from Jews?” To which three answers are enumerated “Be upright and honest, love charity and benevolence and walk modestly with your G-d.” All of these directives apply to everyone both men and women. A second misconception about Tzniut is its very definition. Tzniut is not long dresses, long sleeves, hats and wigs. It is a much broader, all-encompassing topic, of which clothes, is but one facet. Our Rabbis teach us that it is ideal to learn Torah in Tzniut, in modest privacy. One who learns without the hoopla, without seek- ing recognition and praise for doing so is given the guarantee that he will not forget what he has learned as a reward for their modesty. The ability to keep a secret—something our generation is quite deficient in—is also an act of Tzniut. Queen Esther was considered Tzanua (modest), not because she wore long dresses—which she undoubtedly did, but because she didn’t divulge details of her back- ground to King Ahashverosh in keeping with the instructions of BY: RABB I EL I MANSOUR S peaking for the first time before his new congregation a Rabbi pours over the topic of observing the laws of Shabbat. After his speech, the members of the synagogue’s board rush over to advise him, “Rabbi, it would really be better not to speak about Shabbat! It’s a very sensitive subject, many people in our synagogue drive to get here on Saturday, so please, don’t bring it up anymore.” Trying to be diplomatic, the next week the Rabbi decides to lecture on kosher dietary laws, which he assumes would be a more neu- tral issue. After delivering a compelling speech about the importance of only eating kosher, again the board members admonish him. “What are you doing Rabbi? Our people enjoy eating at fine restaurants that are not under rabbinical supervision, they like to go on vacation and enjoy the finest cuisine. Don’t offend them. Please—don’t talk about Kashrut again!” The next week, the Rabbi chooses to discuss Taharat haMishpahah—family purity. As he is speaking, the Rabbi notices the members of the board waving their hands anxiously, motioning to him, “Cut! Cut it right now! Stop speaking!” Afterward, the exasperated board members tell him, “Family purity? What were you thinking? Not everyone keeps it, they don’t check. It’s just too divisive, you can’t talk about that from the pulpit!” Bewildered by the board’s ever increasing restrictions, the Rabbi finally vents, “I can’t talk about Shabbat. I can’t talk about Kashrut, or family purity…what do you want me to talk about?” They answer, “Rabbi, just talk about Judaism!” DEDICATED IN MEMORY OF JACK A”H & MARCELLE A”H SHASHO BY ELLIOT SHASHO