Really want to understand... Lace front shaitels and halacha

amother

Orange

Thu, Dec 26 2019, 10:13 pm

amother [ Black ] wrote:

Bump
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A wig that looks natural defeats the whole purpose of the mitzvah. The hair of a married woman is considered ervah- it has the potential to provoke men. It needs to be covered after marriage to ensure that men are not attracted to her. So wearing a wig that is as nice or nicer than ones own hair is not fulfilling the purpose of the mitzvah of kisui rosh
Many Rabbanim say this and that's why many Rabbanim talk against lace fronts, lace tops, streaking etc...
That's why many Gedolim were against today's wigs and endorse cloth head coverings as the ideal halachically (the sheitel was a big debate among poskim with many asuring the wigs) and hashkifacally

Actually, not necessarily. The HAIR of a married woman is considered ervah. If it is covered, she is covering her ervah.

The reason why it is considered ervah is not necessarily because it "has the potential to provoke men." Such a reasoning would apply equally to unmarried women or girls. It is only that the hair of a married woman changes spiritual quality after marriage and becomes ervah. Therefore it must be covered - not to make the woman less attractive, but to cover her hair.

If it was simply because of attractiveness, a married woman would presumably also be told to tone down her mode of dress, avoid heels, etc. which also are potentially provocative.

But tznius remains identical for a married woman and an unmarried girl. The only difference is that the married woman does not show her own natural hair.

If she covers her hair with a wig, there is no problem, because the wig is NOT ervah. It is not her natural hair, and it is fully covering her natural hair. So she is covering her ervah with a covering that is NOT ervah.

amother

Chartreuse

Thu, Dec 26 2019, 10:28 pm

amother [ Orange ] wrote:

If the hair has to be covered only for spiritual reasons then why would the term “ervah” be used?

amother

Teal

Thu, Dec 26 2019, 10:31 pm

And yet, Lubavitch hold that a wig is PREFERED. And my dh HATES wigs, and think tichels are much more attractive, lol. Any ANY wig looks nicer than my current damaged hair - but that's not the point. The point is that married women must cover their hair. And everyone should do according to their Rav/custom, and not give others a hard time about following THEIR Rav.

amother

Orange

Thu, Dec 26 2019, 10:39 pm

amother [ Chartreuse ] wrote:

If the hair has to be covered only for spiritual reasons then why would the term “ervah” be used?

From my research, the term ervah in halacha was applied retroactively. Since the hair of a married woman must be covered, her uncovered hair is considered ervah. Not that it is considered ervah and THEREFORE must be covered.

The reason ("spiritual reason") according to the Lubavitcher Rebbe seems to be based on a Gemara that states that covering one's hair is part of the curses of Chava:

From https://www.sefaria.org/Eruvin.....g2=he
הני שבע הווין כי אתא רב דימי אמר עטופה כאבל ...
The Gemara analyzes the above statement with regard to Eve’s ten curses: Are they in fact ten? They are only seven. When Rav Dimi came from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia, he said that the other curses are: A woman is wrapped like a mourner, I.e., she must cover her head...

ETA: And based on that, if you believe that the curses of Chava must be left in their full strength, and you believe that epidurals are asur, perhaps you'd also say that the haircovering must be ugly. If you do believe that we are allowed to alleviate the curse, then a beautiful shaitel is an epidural (sans side effects) for your head. Enjoy!