Modesty

From Halachipedia

There is more about modesty than dress. Primarily modesty relates to a person's conduct privately, publicly, and personal self-awareness. [1]

As a Middah

  1. Hashem displays his modesty by hiding His presence to a large extent.[2] We are enjoined to follow in His ways (which is the mitzvah of VeHalachta BeDerachav[3]) and do the same by not looking for public attention in a general sense.[4]

Clothing

  1. A Sephardi woman, according to Rav Ovadia, should cover her arm down to and including the elbow.[5]
  2. A Sephardi woman, according to Rav Ovadia, should cover her legs.[6]

Sources

  1. Rav Hershel Schachter in a shiur on yutorah
  2. Yishayahu 45:15 describes Hashem as being a God who hides.
  3. Devarim 28:9, Shabbat 130a, Sotah 14a
  4. Micha 6:8 states that a person should be modest in His walking with Hashem. The Gemara Macot 24a explains that this is one of the three major principals of Torah.
  5. Rav Ovadia Yosef in Taharat habayit v. 2 p. 164 writes that a woman should cover her arm from the elbow and up including the elbow.
  6. Rav Ovadia Yosef in Taharat habayit v. 2 p. 164 writes that a woman should cover her legs even below the knees.