Modesty is an important part of my life as a follower of YHWH. Part of the reason why it is so has to do with the way I dressed and acted prior to before my faith ever became a priority. But praise Yah that He changed my heart in due time! I’ll admit it was a slow process to get to the standard of modesty I have today, but that is usually the case with changes that are going to make me stand out.
Going from shorts to pants, and then from pants to skirts made all the difference in the world. I almost feel like I have a protective covering on every time I go out. Yes, I do get stared at on occasion, but so what? The genuine peace and safety I feel far surpass those unpleasant moments.
As an introvert with a quiet personality, I don’t like the idea of standing out. It’s daunting having all eyes on you. It’s not easy being different. That is why I believe YHWH is using my outward show of modesty to ease me out of the comfort zone I’ve dwelt in for so long.
With that said, I’d like to segway into the topic of veiling, which is the real reason why I chose to write this today.
I have suppressed and ignored my desire to cover ever since I first read 1 Corinthians 11 half a year ago. My desire to cover was a conviction that grew, and grew, and grew, even as I tried to avoid its growth. You see, unlike wearing long skirts, and choosing to get rid of the eye makeup, which wasn’t too difficult, covering my hair scared me (and still does) to an unreasonable degree. I tried to justify my reasons for not covering by looking to the majority of believing women today (who do not cover). However, we all know that with YHWH, the majority doesn’t rule. So the more I studied and read on the subject of veiling, the more convinced I became that this was right.
The conclusions I’ve come to are as follows…
Wearing a physical covering on your head isn’t a commandment. We don’t see it in the Torah, which is our guidebook for living, and even though 1 Corinthians 11 makes it clear that it is a shame for a woman not to cover, it is still not a direct command. But, like the wearing of tzizit and modest clothing, wearing a veiling further sets you apart from the world and provides modesty. Also, wearing a physical covering reminds us of our place in the Scriptural headship ordained by Yah. It is a beautiful sign of submission and odedience. Additionally, Scripture provides various examples of women, particularly married (or betrothed) women covering their hair with a veil, suggesting that it was a normal practice. Paul says that the custom of one’s hair being a covering was not so, which agrees with the previous. 
In fact, we see that this practice continues today among various Christian denominations and Jewish communities.
I am completely alone in my conviction. Nobody in my immediate or extended family supports the wearing of a veil. I don’t blame them. Not too long ago, I was equally opposed to the idea.
As women, it is a natural desire of ours to look attractive, but as believers, we must acknowledge the fact that we are not our own, having been bought with a price by our Messiah. Therefore, our beauty should be different from that of the world’s.
“When a woman acts and dresses in a tzniut [modest] way, she effectively tells the world that she expects to be judged as a human being with skills and capabilities, intellect and emotions, and not as a “piece of meat” that is being displayed to attract the attention of a buyer.”
Loose hair has the tendency of being very appealing to men. As women striving to please Yah by living in purity, we must be willing to protect ourselves and other brothers in Messiah from unnecessary temptation. According to 1 Corinthians 11:15, hair is given to the woman as her radiance or esteem. Are we then supposed to flaunt that radiance, showing it off to everyone we come in contact with? Shoudn’t we instead be striving to guard that beautiful radiance for only one man?
I realize my thoughts are a bit on the radical side, but I’m just trying to raise the bar on today’s extremely low standards. Some may even think this topic trivial and to someone who is struggling with coming in line with Scriptures like “don’t lie” working through those will take precedence over this matter. However as we grow YHWH will place more and more areas before our eyes we need to focus and work on. Right now, this happens to be what he is calling me to do and I know there are many in the same position or those just wanting more info. To end, I want to say that I do not yet cover (gasp!) namely because the veil I ordered hasn’t arrived, but I still have fear and doubts about it.
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Great post!!
You stated above..Wearing a physical covering on your head isn’t a commandment. We don’t see it in the Torah
I would encourage you to look at Numbers Ch5. When the wife is brought before the priest by her jealous husband, she is uncovered (head uncovered, not breast as some translations state. To uncover a woman’s breast would be to uncover her nakedness and be a sin) While she is in a questionable position she remains uncovered. When her innocence is revealed she is free to cover up again.
Also Ezekiel 13:18-21 mentions women using their veils as snares to catch men’s souls. This is obviously a mis-use of the authority the woman has when she is covered.
This is a very interesting and controversial topic. I commend you in your striving to reach Yahweh’s best for you. IF I could give you a small piece of advice…Take covering gradually as you did going from pants to skirts. Start with a head band or a narrow scarf. Then gradually move into where you would like to be. Another thing I have learned is don’t feel like you have to be pegged into a certain style of covering. Try different ways of tying and wrapping and play around with it.
Remember modest and wholesome does not mean frumpy!!!
Blessings in Messiah,
Navah/Teresa
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Miss Jocelyn Tzahala's reply:
March 7th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
I agree with veiling, but I don’t agree that the verse in Numbers makes veiling a commandment. It is documented in the Talmud that veiling was a cultural custom, not a miztvot.
To say that the passage in Numbers stating that a woman accused of adultery should be unveiled, meaning veiling is commanded, would be the same as the passage about removing your shoes ‘for you stand on set-apart ground” to mean that one has to wear shoes. Does that make sense?
:)
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Mrs. Rebecca Rizzuti's reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
I may be wrong about this, but I have (for as long as I’ve been a Christian, a mere 2 years) interpreted such passages as meaning that the veiling itself is a blessing to the woman — a sort of a privilege. It isn’t a commandment, though 1 Corinthians 11 tells us that it is a shame for a woman to be uncovered (and even then there is some contention over whether or not we’re talking about a literal veiling or a woman’s hair — I believe we’re talking about a veil).
I cover. I feel a bit… naked without the covering. I wear a variety of styles, from a bandanna to a wide headband to a bun cover and even occasionally an Amish-made kapp. It has been a blessing to me, and the covering helps to keep me in a prayerful mindset and has, as such, been a blessing to me :)
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Teresa, thank you for the references. Yes, I do know that the veil is mentioned several times in the Tanakh, and I do understand that it was the norm back then. But I guess I wish the command was more direct, like “Thou shalt cover your head” or something along those lines :)
I will take your advice and start covering gradually. That’s definitely the way to go!
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I generally wear a covering/veling. Always during worship, and just about all the time at home. It was very easy, as I did it rather gradually. The more you do it, the more comfortable it will be for you, and those in your immediate family. I started with a beautiful light blue/purple scarf that was long, but only about 4 inches wides. I then worked my way up to a bigger square silk scarf, and now I have all manner of headbands/scarfs/veils. They are suprisingly easy to make! There are tons of websites on it, if you’re looking to do it yourself. I’ve noticed that a light colored, matching scarf draws less attention that a big white veil. I don’t care if people notice that I am veiled, but part of being modest for me, is to not draw attention to myself. So, a helpful hint is to have the headpiece coordinate and look like it goes with what you’re wearing. Another helpful hint, always have small bobby pins or barrettes handy! With windy weather, or when holding a baby I tend to have pins dislodge or become lost so I always have a backup!
Happy Veiling ;)
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I’ve had the same questions and doubts about veiling. It’s been taught to me since childhood that I should wear a headcovering in the church setting, and that’s it. But I realize it was the norm, as you said, for women to be covered in Bible times. So…it’s uncertain in my mind, but for now I just wear one in church. Maybe I should also wear one while praying at home? There are so many varying beliefs on this that it is confusing. Some think it was just for married women, some while praying, some all the time, some just at church, etc. May God show us the truth and make us willing to do what is right!
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I’ve also pondered wearing a covering full time. I wear a covering for worship. Mom wears a covering full time. I do agree it would be so much easier if wearing a covering was a command. I prefer a veil but that’s not what the church wears. I feel like the church coverings don’t cover as much.
Prayers,
Esther
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I just typed in “hair coverings” on the home page, and this article looked the most relevent. Over the past few months I have felt a deeper and deeper movement of the Spirit, leading me to begin covering my hair – in some fashion or another. But because I am working, it is also a requirement that one does not wear a bandana, making my escapade a little more… creative (?). I haven’t even ordered a hair piece yet, and I guess I’m looking for (a) advice, (b) affirmation (am I going crazy, or does it seem this younger generation is being moved into a more modest life style?) (c) does anyone have pictures they would like to share? Ideas of how to wear the hair peices and places to order them? (d) do you wear coverings to work?
I suppose a reason I want to beging wearing one (along with feeling the Lord leading me in this direction at this time) is because it is totally impractical for me to wear skirts (I’m doing man-type work, much to many of the ladies at my work place dismay, and not at all my fault, but very much complained about by the ladies I am around) and there are many young men who are single and non-believers (and some young women there as well, but not as many as young men). Having a head-covering would helpe me remember that I am “under the shadow of the Most High,” under the protection of HIS wing, as I do feel vulnerable, and at times unsafe (not that I am in questionable situations, I’m not, but I don’t know of many MEN who share my beliefs whom I could run to for help….
Have I just gone off the deep end?
Does this seem to be a movement of the Holy One, in our generation?
Can someone please offer some form of advice, maybe ideas for head coverings as well?
I don’t want to toally alienate the people where I work (I am one of four Christians that I know of, and only two of them are professing, believing, walking-their-talk in tangible ways)…
HELP! HELP! HELP!!!
(did I mention I am rather intimidated by this prospect?)
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“I have suppressed and ignored my desire to cover ever since I first read 1 Corinthians 11 half a year ago. My desire to cover was a conviction that grew, and grew, and grew, even as I tried to avoid its growth. You see, unlike wearing long skirts, and choosing to get rid of the eye makeup, which wasn’t too difficult, covering my hair scared me (and still does) to an unreasonable degree. I tried to justify my reasons for not covering by looking to the majority of believing women today (who do not cover). However, we all know that with YHWH, the majority doesn’t rule. So the more I studied and read on the subject of veiling, the more convinced I became that this was right.”
AMEIN!
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