8953 —חובת כיסוי הראש וחשיבותו בדין תורה לנשים

B"H, 24 Adar I 5725, Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the 19th of Teves, which was received after a long delay, in which you write several questions regarding Jewish laws and customs. In general, it is not my role to rule on halachic questions, nor is there any need for this since there are several halachic authorities in your city to whom you can turn and who will explain the questions in all their details (which are often difficult to fully describe in writing). Nevertheless, since you have already written at least, I will answer your first question, and in your wording: regarding the obligation of head covering for women—on what is this practice based, etc.

This is an explicit law in our holy Torah, the Torah of life—not merely a custom (even though Jewish customs are also highly significant). Moreover, even among the laws themselves, this particular law—head covering for women (married women, obviously)—has special importance. This is evident from the great reward for fulfilling this law. In the precise language [quoted by commentators on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim section 75 (where this law is detailed)—there it also mentions the punishment, but I choose to quote regarding the reward], from the Zohar HaKadosh on Parshas Naso (also quoted in Mishnah Berurah Hilchos Kriyas Shema section 75): "Baneha yistalkun bechashuvin al sha'ar bnei alma v'lo od ela debalah misbarech bechol birchan d'leila u'birchan d'letata b'osherah b'bnei u'bnei banin etc." (Her children will be distinguished among others and her husband will be blessed with all blessings from above and below—with wealth and children and grandchildren etc.).

Additionally: It is truly astonishing that anyone with even a spark of faith in their heart who wishes for true happiness after marriage—for both husband and wife and their children whom may Hashem bless them—could possibly consider any discomfort (even if one were to say there is some discomfort) associated with head covering as outweighing the blessing from Hashem, Creator of man and Ruler of the world! This would be an unparalleled lack of seriousness—even if there were only a doubt or remote possibility about the necessity of this matter—and certainly when it is an explicit law.

I am aware of the question that arises regarding this: After all, there are many who do not observe this law. But this question has existed for thousands of years: You are the smallest among nations—how can your laws differ from every other nation? Unfortunately even within Bnei Yisrael there are those who publicly desecrate Shabbos or even intermarry G‑d forbid. Clearly none of this diminishes at all from the vitality of our Torah—the Torah of life—and its mitzvos about which it says "and you shall live by them," just as making the golden calf shortly after receiving the Torah did not diminish at all from the vitality of the Ten Commandments or subsequently all Torah and mitzvos until our generation.

As we find ourselves just days before Purim—as mentioned above—this was Haman's argument; his conclusion was not only spiritual destruction but physical annihilation: to destroy all Jews young and old, infants and women. For indeed, the existence of Bnei Yisrael everywhere depends solely on Torah and mitzvos given by One G‑d to one nation upon earth.

With blessing.

Summary

The Rebbe writes that head covering for married women is an explicit Torah obligation with great spiritual reward. Even if some do not observe it today, its importance remains unchanged; true blessing comes through adherence to G‑d’s commandments.