Thursday Jul 09, 2009
Posted by Modesty Blasé
In Hendonistan, there's a new message that's been circulated via email
and posted on relevant notice boards inside one particular shul
[synagogue] (although by the time you read this, I understand the
notice will have been taken down). In a paean to Mea Shearim
typography, the black and red banner in this popular Orthodox London shul requests that girls and women maintain proper halachic [according to Jewish law] standards of dress in shul.
They are to refrain from 'low necklines, see-through and short-sleeve
tops and short skirts.' And finally, there is the classic plea 'Please
help us to preserve the Kedushat Beit Haknesset.' [sanctity of the synagogue]. Yes, all that holiness resting on the errant elbow of Hendon housewife.
In Hendonistan, formerly known as Hendon, large numbers of Muslim women wearing their jilbab and hijab
share the streets with young Orthodox women in their swirling denim
skirts that sweep the ground. 'At least,' think all the women in sheitels
and long sleeves, 'we don't have to cover up ourselves like THEM. We're
so NORMAL.' Yes, it's perfectly normal, as some rabbis have cited, to
blame the tragedies of the world on the immodest dress of women.
Tuesday Aug 19, 2008
Posted by Modesty Blasé
"These clever girls," a friend said to me the other day, "they're taking it too far now. My son isn't going to want such a clever one. It's not going to be so easy for her to settle down, make a home..."
"My daughter is doing brilliantly at university," said another.
"But I don't know what good it's going to do. It wouldn't hurt her to be a little less clever....at least in public."
For the first time in Jewish history, mothers are encouraging their daughters to underachieve. They shouldn't be too pretty, too smart or too competent for fear of scaring the boys away. It's particularly nerve-wrecking for Orthodox mothers who are concerned that their daughters are pricing themselves out of the marriage stakes with all their accomplishments. "With a PhD under her sheitel," thinks the anxious mother to herself, " a man is going to worry that my daughter will never be happy changing nappies and making kugel."
Monday Aug 04, 2008
Posted by Modesty Blasé
Recent news that the Israeli netball team found glory in Ireland brought a warm glow to my face that I almost confused with the beginnings of a hot flush.
A couple of years ago, I heard about a friendly Jewish netball game in London. As I started to explain that it had been many years since I last played and that I was not in the best shape, Jenny, the team organiser, gently interrupted me: "Don't worry," she said. "Everyone says the same thing. You'll be fine."
Sunday Jul 13, 2008
Posted by Modesty Blasé
It was our turn to host Charlie, the school rabbit for the weekend.
It died.
Seeking to comfort my distressed children, we went to WH Smith, a large stationary shop to buy some colored pencils.
'Imma, there's Charlie,' my little one shouted. "They've put him on the pencil case. Look he's on the folder as well.'
There, in full view, next to Minnie Mouse was the eponymous Playboy symbol plastered over a range of children's stationary.
'Can I have the pencil case?' my little one asked.
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About this blog
Modesty Blasé
And G-d created Modesty. And Modesty grew up to be an Orthodox Jewish housewife and mother in London. She has a Pesach kitchen and a Polish cleaner. Her skirts are long and she often sports a trendy baseball cap with a fake ponytail. But lately, Modesty has been having some doubts. This is her commentary.
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Recent Comments
Devorah: Throughout the world, thousands of Jews assemble peacefully for pro-Israel rallies, and the mainstream media don't bother to report on it. A few dozen hateful Islamic fanatics behave obnoxiously and/or illegally while protesting against Israel or some perceived insult to Islam, and it's all over the media.
Cember: Jeanie: The problem is that the hyper-pious of any of the misogynistic Abrahamic religions seem to believe that all men are governed by their gonads, and therefore have strict rules that attempt to limit the pious horn-dogs. Since the rules are made by men, their method is precisely "blam[ing] the cat". That's why Orthodox women cover their hair, wear (usually) frumpy looking long skirts, and cover the skin on their upper bodies. Ditto for some Protestant sects. The Catholics used to put nuns into modified burkhas. Pious Moslems still do the burkha bit, or modify it with hijab and veil.
Jeanie - Texas: I'm late to the conversation & doubtful anyone will see this, but why so much legalism about physical appearance, particularly women? It's absurd and we all know it's used as a means of controlling others just for the hell of it. Yes, one should use common sense when going out in public, but let's face it - we all have our own interpretation of the word "modesty" and we're choking on gnats here. A dog is still a dog regardless of what the cat is wearing, so why blame the cat? I hereby declare all men are to wear orange & fushia polka-dot bowties until further notice. No exceptions!!
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