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The laws of sexual modesty are meant to prevent people from committing sexual transgressions, and to safeguard faithfulness in marriage. One of the most important of these rules is that men and women not married to each other may not hug, kiss, or touch each other affectionately. Touching in a non-affectionate way is permissible in cases of great necessity, such as for medical treatment. First-degree relatives are permitted to kiss one another. This applies to grandparents and grandchildren as well. A husband and wife may not touch when she is a nidda (9:8 above). Mixed dancing is forbidden.
Modesty also demands dressing modestly. Since men are naturally more inclined than women to notice the attractiveness of the opposite gender, more rules were laid down regarding women’s clothing than men’s. Recent authorities generally agree that modest dress for women means clothes that cover the body, including the upper arms and elbows, the thighs and knees. Married women are also required to cover their hair. Some authorities are more lenient and maintain that the modesty rules follow the norms accepted in a given place by most modest people.
