Question
During the hot summer months it becomes very uncomfortable for me to wear socks or stockings. Many women feel that since the weather is so warm, perhaps there is more room to be lenient during the summer than during the winter. Is there any halachic distinction between summer and winter regarding wearing socks or stockings? May a woman walk around without socks during the summer?
Answer
No. There is no halachic distinction between summer and winter regarding this matter. If the legs and feet are areas that are required to be covered, the obligation remains the same regardless of the season.
Nevertheless, when a woman is in the privacy of her home and no men are present, she may walk without socks from the letter of the law. However, it is considered a Midas Chassidus to maintain standards of modest dress even in private, and doing so is said to bring special blessing in the education of one’s children.
Explanation
Summer Does Not Change the Halacha: People may think that modesty requirements are dependent on comfort or climate. In truth, the halachic discussion revolves around what areas of the body are considered required to be covered and not what season of the year it happens to be. Accordingly, if one’s community and halachic tradition require the feet and legs to be covered with socks or stockings, there is no seasonal exemption. The fact that it is hot outside does not alter the underlying halachic obligation.
Why Are Socks and Stockings Discussed? The Poskim discuss the obligation for women and girls to cover areas of the legs that are considered Shok and are therefore deemed areas of modesty. While there is debate regarding the precise definition of Shok, the majority of Poskim, and the implied opinion of the Alter Rebbe, require the legs and feet to be covered in the presence of men, and that this has become the accepted practice among Chareidi communities. Accordingly, a woman who is in public or in the presence of men is generally expected to wear socks or stockings according to the standards accepted by her community.
What About at Home? Here the halacha is more lenient. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach is cited as ruling that when a woman is in her home and no men are present, she may walk without socks. This applies even though one would not do so in public. However, this leniency is limited. If men are present in the home, including one’s father or brother, then one should not walk around without socks. Likewise, a woman should not be lenient if guests or other men may enter and see her in that state.
A Midas Chassidus: Although the strict halacha permits going without socks at home when no men are present, the Rebbe encouraged women to maintain standards of modesty even in private. The Rebbe explained that a person’s actions become second nature. If one is not careful in private, she may eventually become less careful when others are present. Furthermore, the Rebbe connected this conduct to the example of Kimchis and stated that such modest behavior brings blessing that one’s children should follow the path of Torah and mitzvos.
A Historical Example: A letter from Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Hodakov criticized reports that girls in a camp were walking barefoot in public and stressed the importance of maintaining the highest standards of tznius. This letter demonstrates the seriousness with which public standards of modest dress were viewed.
Practical Summary
- There is no leniency to go without socks merely because it is summertime.
- In public or in the presence of men, one should wear socks or stockings according to the accepted standards of her community. [Stockings+ | Word]
- If no men are present in the home, one may go without socks from the letter of the law.
- If men are present, including a father or brother, one should not be lenient.
- It is a Midas Chassidus to maintain standards of modesty even in private.
Sources
No distinction between summer and winter; leniency at home when no men are present: Halichos Shlomo 2:12 in the name of Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach
The Rebbe’s encouragement to maintain tznius even when alone in the home: Toras Menachem 1982 Vol. 4 p. 2190, printed in Shulchan Menachem 6:65-66
The requirement to cover the legs and feet according to the majority of Poskim and the implied opinion of the Alter Rebbe: Admur 75:1; Shevet Halevi 1:1; Minchas Yitzchak 6:10; Divrei Yatziv 37; Piskei Teshuvos 75:4
The distinction between public settings and a home where no men are present: Halichos Shlomo 2:12; Minchas Yitzchak 6:10