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 Someone Count for a Minyan If He is in a Different Room?
Is There an Obligation to Live in Eretz Yisrael?
May a Woman Return Home From the Hospital on Shabbat After a “False Alarm”?
Revoking Rabbinic Edicts of Past Generations
Accompanying a Woman in Labor to the Hospital on Shabbat
May a Husband be Present During His Wife’s Labor and Delivery?
May Expectant Parents Find Out the Fetus’ Gender?
Is it Permissible to Pray for the Death of a Terminally Ill Patient Who is Suffering?
Using the Mother’s Name When Praying for a Sick Patient
“Opening One’s Mouth to the Satan”
Does One Recite Tefilat Ha’derech Before a Short Flight?
Customs to Observe After Experiencing a Miracle
The Beracha Recited Upon Entering a Cemetery
The Completion of the 13th Daf Yomi Cycle
May a Synagogue Have a Menorah With Seven Branches?
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found