Hello.
We continue our study of Brit Shalom, chapter six, which deals with the laws of procreation and also with love—and with the failure of love. Here in the book I have presented several recommended modes of conduct.
Why did I call them “recommended modes of conduct”? Because they do not appear as absolute obligations for the descendants of Noah; rather, as we have seen in many cases, they are recommendations. For the people of Israel they are obligations; for the descendants of Noah they are recommendations. And these recommendations are indeed very worthwhile.
The first guideline is to avoid being alone together with another man’s wife in a closed place at a time when other people are not likely to enter. This is a law that has many practical considerations. For example, regarding doctors: a physician needs to treat a woman. That woman may be married and not his wife, and he may need to close the door so as not to be disturbed. However, there should be a basic possibility that a secretary could enter, or that a window be open, so that the man and the woman do not feel completely shielded from the view of others, which could lead them to transgression.
Similarly, with regard to modesty in dress: there are very interesting guidelines, and admittedly this varies somewhat from culture to culture. Nevertheless, it is fitting for people to maintain a certain level of modesty in dress, which prevents the inflaming of passions and the enslavement of a person to external appearance. Modesty in dress preserves human dignity, and especially for women—and particularly for married women—it is a lofty trait of the soul.
For this reason, it is also appropriate to refrain from wearing clothing that is characteristic of the opposite sex. The Torah says: “A woman shall not wear a man’s garment, and a man shall not wear a woman’s clothing.” That is, there should be a recognized distinction, according to accepted norms, between the dress of the two sexes.
