Fashion Statement: Jewish Burqas

Modesty: Some ultra-Orthodox women in Israel are wearing burqas.

A small contingent of ultra-Orthodox women in the Israeli city of Ramat Beit Shemesh, near Jerusalem, has taken the laws of modesty to new heights. The Haredi women have ditched their wigs and long black skirts in favor of burqas, apparently following the lead of a Ramat Beit Shemesh rebbetzin. The trend was reported by Ha’aretz several months ago, and it has recently received some attention on the blogosphere. The Jewish burqas — which, according to the blog the Muqata, have spread to other ultra-Orthodox communities — have not been well received by rabbis or by other religious authorities.

Modesty: Some ultra-Orthodox women in Israel are wearing burqas.

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