Shulchan Aruch: Chapter 2 - Laws Relating to Dressing

SECTION 2 Laws Relating to Dressing. (1–6)

1 The Torah praises the attribute of modesty in many sources.1 Our Sages command2 that one be modest in all his ways and not conduct himself in a shameless manner, not only while he is in company but even while alone, as will be explained in the laws relating to modesty.3 Even when he is alone at night, in his private chambers,4 he should conduct himself modestly and bashfully in the presence of the Holy One, blessed be He, for “the entire world is filled with His glory”;5 in His sight, “darkness is as light.”6

Therefore, one should not uncover even the slightest part of his person7 that is usually covered by clothes. Even while sleeping in bed at night he should cover himself entirely with a sheet. Even when he enters a lavatory to relieve himself, he should uncover himself only to the extent that is necessary, and nothing at all beyond that, as will be explained.8

2 Similarly, if a person removes his [outer] garments and [then] his [long, loose shirt] before going to sleep undressed in bed,9 he should be careful to cover himself progressively with a sheet under his shirt before he removes the shirt, so that before its removal every successive stage of his body will already have been covered by the sheet. He will thus not be even slightly uncovered, even for a moment, unnecessarily.

(So, too, if a person does not go to sleep undressed, but merely removes his socks, he should first cover his feet with a sheet and remove his socks under the sheet.)

Likewise, when one rises from sleep,10 he should put on his shirt by stages while he is covered by a sheet and still lying down, so that he will not be even slightly uncovered, even for a moment, unnecessarily. (Similarly, the socks that are commonly worn should be put on while one’s feet are still under the sheet, so that they will not be uncovered. For in these lands people never walk barefoot, even in the summer, and thus the feet are always covered.)

A person should likewise take care whenever he changes his shirt (or his socks) in the middle of the day or night, unless he is in a bathhouse. Since in such a place people are commonly undressed, and it is impossible to conduct oneself otherwise, this is not considered improper.

Similar concepts apply when one bathes in a river, (except that he should undress and dress as close to the river as possible, so that he will not be unclothed unnecessarily). There is no need even to cover the private parts as one goes down to the river.11 Indeed, one who does so appears to be embarrassed by [his circumcision]; it is as if he denies the covenant of our Patriarch Abraham.

When, however, one comes up from the river and is facing people, he should bend forward, or place his hand in front of his private parts to cover them, though without contact, as will be explained.12 The same applies when one washes in a bathhouse together with others. If possible, it is preferable to cover his private parts with a garment so as not to be seen by others.

3 One should be careful to put on his shirt13 and his other [garments] properly — not inside out so as to show the unbecoming stitches and the hems, lest people look down upon him. A Torah scholar who inadvertently put on a garment inside out must remove it and put it on properly, so that he should not, Heaven forbid, be counted among “those who hate Me.”14

According to the Kabbalah15 one should be careful not to put on two garments at the same time, because this leads to forgetfulness.

4 In all matters the right should be accorded precedence over the left,16 for throughout the Torah the right side is dominant;17 [e.g.,] with regard to the priestly service [in the Beis HaMikdash];18 with regard to the right thumb and the right toe [of the Kohanim] in their inaugural rites,19 and of the metzora20 [during his purification]; and in the chalitzah ceremony.21 One should therefore give precedence to his right side in all matters.

Accordingly, when he puts on his shoes he should put on his right shoe first, and when he removes them he should remove the left one first, thus showing deference to the right.22 When shoes need to be tied, one should put on the right shoe without tying it, then put on the left shoe and tie it, and then tie the right.23 With regard to tying, one should give precedence to the left, for the Torah has granted the left prominence with regard to tying [the straps of] tefillin.24 When shoes do not require tying, one should put on the right shoe first.25

Similarly, when a person puts on his shirt and his other garments, the right arm should come first. So too with regard to trousers and socks, the right foot should be given precedence,26 though if any of the garments require tying, the left side should be tied first.

Likewise, when one washes or anoints himself, the right hand should be given precedence.27 When bathing the entire body in the bathhouse one should wash his head first, for the head is king over all the limbs.

5 [After dressing] one should stand up and walk with his head slightly inclined,28 not with the totally erect posture and outstretched neck of which it is written,29 “And they walked with necks outstretched and with glancing eyes.” It is forbidden [to walk] even less than four cubits [in this manner]. To walk with a totally erect posture is likened30 to displacing the Divine Presence, of which it is said,31 “The entire earth is filled with His glory.”

“A totally erect posture” is defined as that which does not allow one to see the ground near his feet,32 so that he must walk slowly to avoid stumbling. Nevertheless, one should not bend his body or his head excessively, but only moderately, so that he will be able to see the face of someone approaching him (without having to raise his eyes very high).

6 It is pious conduct33 not to walk even four cubits with one’s head uncovered.34 [This applied] even in the [Talmudic] period, when most people often went about bareheaded35 because of the [excessive] heat that prevailed at that time. Today, when people always cover their heads, it is forbidden to walk or even sit bareheaded.36 [Doing so is considered] immodest, because one thereby uncovers part of the body which is usually covered.37 It is proper to cover the heads of even young children.38

Certainly this applies in these countries,39 where the non-Jews customarily go bareheaded and the holy people of Israel are careful [to cover their heads] as an expression of modesty; here, a person who walks or even sits bareheaded like a non-Jew transgresses the prohibition,40 “Do not follow their statutes.”41

Placing one’s hand over one’s head to cover it is sufficient as a distinctive sign, though not sufficient to enable one to mention G‑d’s name, as will be explained in 91[:3-4].42