Why Are You Modest?–Marci Rapp

Many women have chosen a life of modesty, and they have done so for multiple different reasons.

In 2009, we asked the readers of this site why they have chosen modesty. In these posts we’ll share with you the reasons that they chose modesty as an encouragement to you in your decisions as well as a challenge to uphold each other.

Can you give us a brief biography?

Married 27 years, 4 grown children, 3 of them married, 2 granddaughters. Orthodox religious Jew. Keep Sabbath and Kosher. Moved to Israel 3 years ago from Toronto, Canada, and founded MarSea Modest Swimwear.

How long have you been modest?

Gradually since early 1980′s and fully according my religious beliefs 10 years ago.

Why did you first decide to dress modestly?

Religious dictates a Jewish woman after age 12, covers her elbow, knees, and when married, her hair. There are differences of opinions of how much. I started to wear skirts only after having children, as it was more comfortable and I felt more in line with the community. I started to cover my hair after my youngest son was hit by a car and survived, so out of gratitude to Hashem (G*d) I took on this mitzvah (good deed).
I also wanted to look like a married Jewish woman, and by covering my hair, in one shape or another, it identified me as such.

What motivates you to continue to dress modestly?

As much as I would love the wind to blow my (now grey hair), have the sun kiss my shoulders in a sun-dress, and despite the fact that I no longer have the body of youth, and wouldn’t be attractive to anybody younger than 70 anyways, I keep dressing modestly as a roll model to my kids, and actually, now, for my customers, and because I’m used to it.

Do you believe that how you dress effects how you think of yourself? Why?

Yes I do. I don’t think of myself as a sexual being when dressed in public. This was especially so when I was younger. I didn’t want to attract men to look at me. I didn’t want the vanity to take over my life. I wanted people to see me as a person, a mother, a business woman, an employee, etc, without any sexual thoughts towards me.

What would you say to encourage someone else to be modest?

Dress to please yourself, but ask yourself if you’d be embarrassed if Hashem (G*d) came to visit you. I often wonder how some mothers can dress in a revealing way in front of their teenaged sons, in front of their best friends’ husbands, in front of their parents, clergy, etc.

In our culture, we don’t reveal or touch before marriage. It’s not a bad thing.

I'm a 35 year old guy married to the most beautiful woman in the world (VirtuousBlonde) for 10 years, and has 5 mostly adorable children-- depending on whether they've had a nap, of course. I'm a software developer by trade, though I like to write on various topics. I got my start in blogging at MInTheGap in 2004 writing about culture, politics and got started talking about modesty on this site just 3 years ago.