Tzniut ("modesty" in dress & behavior)

Question: I’ve been told that part of being an observant Jewish woman means dressing modestly. I’m very confused, however, about the standards of modesty and how they come to be established. I don’t see much in the Torah about this. What does dressing mod...

I was once watching a video of a circus show. A magician came on with his assistant. He was dressed in a tux and tails, a cape, a top hat; she was barely dressed at all... What did this show say to me? It said that the man was the artist, the skilled prof...

Why do very religious men wear long black garments only, even in summertime? I mean, doesn't it get sort of hot?

My family and I met with an Orthodox rabbi and his wife the other day. I noticed that the rabbi shook hands with me but not with my wife, and that his wife shook hands with my wife, but not with me. What’s the big deal about men and women shaking hands? I...

Why do men and women sit separately at traditional Jewish services?

Question: Is it true that many religious women will not tell anyone except for close family about their pregnancy until it's obvious? And that they won't tell anyone their due date, either! Answer: Hi, There's no law at all to that effect, but it is a cus...

The Code of Jewish Law Yoreh Deah 182. enumerates several activities that fall under the prohibition of "a man shall not wear women's clothes" (Deuteronomy 22:5); among them is a man dying his hair. With regards to some of the listed restrictions, where t...

As a general rule, dressing up in clothing exclusive to the opposite gender is definitely a problem. The question remains, however, whether this prohibition applies to Purim, a day when any cross-dressing would only be for "harmless" entertainment purpose...

I have always loved to sing, especially Jewish prayers, and I'd love to lead the singing of the Friday night prayers at my synagogue....

The common assumption is that spirituality and sensuality are mutually exclusive. Who says? Sensuality is not something we are meant to kill. It lies at the core of human spirituality--even of...