DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 888 KB)
Modesty in the Privacy of One’s Home

The Shulhan Aruch writes that one should put on his clothing in the morning under the covers, before getting out of bed (listen to audio recording for precise citation). In the olden days, people did not wear pajamas, and would cover themselves only with their sheet. Therefore, the Shulhan Aruch rules that one should ensure not to come out of bed before putting on his clothing, in order not to expose himself.

The Mishna Berura (Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan, 1839-1933) explains this Halacha by noting that one must conduct himself with Seniut (modesty) even in the privacy of his home, and even in the dark. Hashem’s presence is everywhere, and of course there is no "darkness" as far as He is concerned. Therefore, since we are always in the Almighty’s presence, we must always ensure to cover the parts of the body that are normally covered. The Mishna Berura writes that one may leave his arms exposed until the elbow, and the neck until the chest, because these parts of the body are commonly exposed. However, he writes, since people do not normally expose their feet, one should ensure to put on his socks under his covers, before getting out of bed. The Hazon Ish (Rav Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz, 1878-1953) writes that the practice nowadays is to allow exposing one’s feet, since in contemporary society it is accepted to go about without socks in one’s home, even in the presence of visitors.

These Halachot demonstrate the importance of Seniut even in the privacy of one’s home. Even at home, one should be dressed properly out of an awareness of, and respect for, Hashem’s presence which is everywhere at all times.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Does Boreh Nefashot Cancel Out a Shehakol if One Wants To Continue Drinking?
How Long Does the Beracha of Shehakol Last?
Berachot: Is Ice Cream Considered a Food or Beverage?
Must One Make New Berachot if He Went to the Facilities During a Meal?
Netilat Yadayim When One Uses the Restroom Immediately Before Eating Bread
Shinui Makom – Must One Recite a New Beracha After Going to the Restroom During a Meal?
Shinui Makom – If a Person Begins Eating at Home Right Before Leaving
Shinui Makom – Eating While Walking
Shinui Makom – If a Person Leaves an Apartment But Remains in the Building During a Meal
Shinui Makom – If a Person Moves From Room to Room
Shinui Makom – If a Person Left During a Meal Eaten With Other People
Shinui Makom – If One Left While Eating a Mezonot Food or a Fruit From the Seven Species
Shinui Makom – If One Leaves After Eating a “Boreh Nefashot” Food, or After Eating Less Than a Ke’zayit of Bread
Shinui Makom – If a Person Leaves His House During a Meal
Does The Beracha of HaMosi Cover Hard Liquor?
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found