Apikoros Tshuvot for Everyday Life - Part Two

The Relativism of Tsnius.

Tsnius, is a concept we always hear in relation to our skirt height, sleeve length, and stockings, or lack there of. The word means "modesty" or "humilty", and not only refers to the modesty of people's clothings but, it refers to the way people carry themselves day in and day out. The torah describes the ways people should act, and how they should be humble before Gd and their fellow man. The torah does not, on the other hand, describe how women should wear skirts, wigs and long tops, hiding themselves from the world.

Don't throw out our tanktops just yet!
Modesty is relative based on where you are, whom you are with and what you are doing.
Just like you wouldn't wear a bikini to services, you also wouldn't wear your shabbos best swimming laps. You wouldn't go to Saudi Arabia in a mini skirt, and you wouldn't go visit Rabbis in MeaShearim or Bnei Brak in jeans and a t-shirt (funny story*).

If there is no specific dress code, how then do you decide what is appropriate? You use your head. Go back to the concept of tsniut as it refers to our relationship with each other and Gd. How does one be humble and modest? Is it modest to flaunt oneself? No. Is it humble to force oneself onto others? No. Would I be forcing myself onto others wearing a miniskirt and a tank top to schul....probably. Does that mean that a burka is the safe way to go? I don't think so.

If you look at texts describing kisui rosh (head coverings) you would various Rabbi explaining traditions based on the common practice of the times. They didnt insist on the worst case, most covered up look, but were content with a happy medium expressed by the present day culture and place. They were even lax on some things - letting unmarried women not cover their hair so that they may be more attractive to their future husband.

If they allowed for these things when discussing kisui rosh which may arguably come right out of the torah(...arguably), why would they be any more stringent when dicussing dress, which isn't mentioned anywhere (but may be alluded to in shir hashirim)? Maybe.

Cover your privates when swimming in public, cover your hands when it's cold out, and cover your elbows and knees in MeaShearim.

Dress inteligently, and respectful of where you are and whom you are with, and that, my dear, is what it's all about.