“I wish to share with you my initial hesitancy in writing this letter. Rabbi Shalom Messas zt”l, Chief Rabbi of Morocco and later Chief Rabbi of Yerushalayim, related that he had never been asked a single Taharat HaMishpachah question from any woman during the duration of his leadership in Morocco. The women of Morocco were so particular about the concept of Tzniut, that instead of discussing such matters with a man – even if he was a highly qualified Rav – that they would rather err on the side of caution and be strict, even if it was highly uncomfortable at times. Woe to this generation in which the daughters of those women must bring these matters in front of men, violating the custom of their holy mothers. It is only to save other women further embarrassment that I have agreed to address these matters in writing, and may the above-mentioned lady receive merits similar to Nachshon ben Aminadav for her willingness to jump in first.”
