Ron

What is true beauty?

Parashat Chayei Sarah begins with the death of Sarah, and Abraham immediately looks for a burial place for his beloved wife, which leads him to purchase the Cave of Machpelah. In this same Torah portion, we also read of Avraham's servant Eliezer’s quest to find a wife for Yitzchak. Eliezer’s journey results in him choosing Rivka to be Yitzchak’s wife, because of her kind deeds.

Much has been said and written about inner beauty versus outer beauty. What do our Sages teach us? The Midrash regularly praises Sarah's historical physical beauty, stating that even when she was very old, she was just as beautiful as she was in her youth. Rashi observes that Sarah's beauty was so great, that it apparently radiated in some way, even when she was in her tent.

With all of the discussion of Sarah’s beauty in general - the focus is not only on the physical part. The Midrash, and other traditional Rabbinic sources constantly emphasize her spiritual beauty – Sarah’s righteousness, her kindness to other people (“Chesed”, or “lovingkindness”, was the dominant quality in Avraham and Sarah’s home), and hospitality(“hachnasat orchim”). These particular values made Sarah’s beauty eternal – and this is in stark contrast to physical beauty. Physical beauty, much like the proverbial flower, eventually fades, and withers away.

This brings to mind the infamous story of the "Ugly Rabbi" from the Talmud (Taanit 20b). Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Shimon, met a person who overtly remarked to him about the Rabbi’s apparently unbearable physical "ugliness."  After hearing such a repugnant, mean-spirited, careless slight, Rabbi Elazar's response to the man was truly profound, and it was an answer for the ages.  Rabbi Elazar asked the rude man if he himself was being criticized, or rather, if “the Craftsman”(G-d, the Ultimate Creator) was the one being criticized. This Talmudic story teaches us that true beauty is not in the outside, but rather, in one's character, behavior, and spiritual values.

As we prepare for Shabbat this week, take a moment to reflect on this as we sing Eishet Chayil ( Proverbs 31:30), this Friday night: "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she is to be praised,". Physical beauty is fleeting, and true spiritual beauty lasts forever.

Shabat Shalom