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Wearing Stockings in Halachah

1. Are female legs below the knee erva?
2. In a city where rov women do NOT wear stockings, is it permissible to go stocking-less if the knee is covered?

Many Thanks.

Answer:

1. There is a dispute among authorities concerning the statement of the Gemara whereby the “shok” is considered an erva. According to many this refers to the area beneath the knee. However, others maintain that this refers to the area above the knee (the Mishna Berura 75 rules that it refers to the area above the knee; see Yabia Omer, Yoreh Deah 6,14; Divrei Yatziv Even Ha-Ezer 37, who cite further sources; most, however, write that it refers to the area below the knee). This dispute refers primarily to the question of reciting berachos in front of women.

2. This matter depends on the custom of the place. If the custom is to wear stockings, as it is in many Orthodox communities, this will be an obligation as based on the custom. If there is no custom to do so, or in a family environment, there is no obligation to wear stockings.

This is certainly true of the general laws of tzenius, and one can also be lenient for purposes of reciting berachos, based on the lenient opinions above.

Best wishes.

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