YUTOPIA

In this mega-podcast, Rabbi Yuter surveys some of contemporary solutions to the Agunah problem and discusses their merits, limitations, and flaws in light of Jewish law, history, and social politics.

Current Jewish Questions 10 - Solutions to the Agunah Problem Sources (PDF)

Current Jewish Questions 10 - Solutions to the Agunah Problem

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In the first of a two part class on Agunot, Rabbi Yuter discusses the primary halakhic texts for the agunah problem.

Current Jewish Questions 9 - Understanding the Agunah Problem Sources (PDF)

Current Jewish Questions 9 - Understanding the Agunah Problem

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In this installment of Current Jewish Questions, Rabbi Yuter discusses the sources and parameters of rabbinic principle of Dina Demalchuta Dina - The law of land is the law.

Current Jewish Questions 8 - Dina Demalchuta Dina Sources (PDF)

Current Jewish Questions 8 - Dina Demalchuta Dina

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In response to the recent controversy over the Affordable Healthcare Act and religious freedom, Rabbi Yuter explores the primary sources for the Jewish discussions on contraception.

Current Jewish Questions 7 - Contraception Sources (PDF)

Current Jewish Questions 7 - Contraception

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Current Jewish Questions 6 - Non-Jews in Jewish Law Sources (PDF)

Current Jewish Questions 6 - Non-Jews in Jewish Law

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In this installment of Current Jewish Question, Rabbi Yuter discusses sources and approaches to the laws of "chukkat hagoy" - following the practices of non-Jews

Current Jewish Questions 5 - Chukkat Hagoy Sources (PDF)

Current Jewish Questions 5 - Chukkat Hagoy

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In honor of Superbowl Sunday, Rabbi Yuter tackles the question of Jews enjoying the Big Game.

Current Jewish Questions 4 - Superbowl Sources (PDF)

Current Jewish Questions 4 - Superbowl

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In this installment of Current Jewish Questions, Rabbi Yuter reevaluates popular conception of "Chillul Hashem/Desecrating God's Name" based on rabbinic sources.

Current Jewish Questions 3 - Chillul Hashem Sources (PDF)

Current Jewish Questions 3 - Chillul Hashem

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The topic of "tzniut" or "modesty" has recently become a prominent point of discussion in the Jewish community, mostly in response recent incidents of religious violence in Israel (some of which we covered in the previous class on Religious Coercion). Recent essays by Rabbi Dov Linzer in the New York Times, Rabbi Aryeh Klapper for a Rabbinical Council of America blog, and an earlier one by Rabbi Marc Angel for The Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals have all attempted to present a more "moderate" view from what is often conveyed by Orthodox Jewish society.

But the common theme in these essays, and indeed what dominates the discussion of Jewish modesty, is almost exclusively framing the issue in the context of women. In particular, modesty is most frequently defined in terms of how women ought to dress, how a woman is supposed to behave, and in some general instances the appropriate role of women in Jewish if not secular society. With this focus on women, it is not surprising that tzniut/modesty is almost exclusively construed as a sexual ethic.

In this shiur I challenge this assumption by approaching the topic of modesty not from the socially defined understanding of tzniut, but rather how and when the root "צנע" is used in the Talmud. While the term is certainly used in the context of female sexuality or displays of femininity (B. Ketuvot 3b, B. Berachot 8b, B. Shabbat 113b, B. Sotah 49b), the Rabbinic tradition also applies tzniut to men as it pertains to his relationship with his wife (B. Shabbat 53b) and his mode of dress (B. Menachot 43a). Furthermore, the ethic of tzniut is asserted in the contexts of going to the bathroom (B. Berachot 8b, 62a), eating (B. Berachot 8b), not displaying one's wealth (B. Pesachim 113a), and even religious observance (M. Ma'aser Sheni 5:1, B. Sukkah 49b/B. Makkot 24a). (These and additional sources are in the attached source sheet with a modified Soncino translation.)

Given the contextual range of the root צנע, I suggest that tzniut in the Rabbinic tradition may best be described not as a sexual ethic at all (let alone a female one), but a general attitude of behavior of which sexual behavior is only one component. In other words, the true Jewish ethos of modesty does not exclusively pertain to sexuality, but rather reflects a universal ethic, one which is equally applicable to men and women in all facets of life.

Current Jewish Questions 2 - Tzniut / Modesty Sources (PDF)

Current Jewish Questions 2 - Tzniut-Modesty

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In light of the recent religious violence in Israel, Rabbi Yuter begins his new Current Jewish Questions series with a discussion of religious coercion in Jewish law.

Current Jewish Questions 1 - Religious Coercion Sources (PDF)

Current Jewish Questions 1 - Religious Coercion

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