More Than Skin Deep

Question

Dear Rabbi,

I’ve read different things about the importance of beauty according to Judaism. It seems that some say it is not important and only one’s inner self has meaning. Others say that physical beauty is also important.

Would you please clarify what, if any, importance does Judaism attach to physical beauty?

Thanks!

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Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    What a beautiful question!

    We find in numerous Jewish sources that beauty has importance. For example, when Sarah died, the Torah states that “The life of Sarah was one hundred years, and twenty years, and seven years — these were the years of the life of Sarah.” Rashi explains that when she was one hundred years old, she was like a twenty-year-old regarding sin. Just as a twenty-year-old has not sinned, because she is not liable for punishment, so too when she was one hundred years old, she was without sin. And when she was twenty, she was like a seven-year-old as regards to beauty. The Torah mentions Sarah’s beauty at the same time that it mentions her not sinning, which teaches that — similar to lack of sin — beauty is a significant attribute.

    From a logical point of view, there also must be an importance to beauty. If physical appearance has no significance, why didn’t the Creator make all humans to possess the same amount of physical beauty? This would avoid much jealousy, envy and resentment in the world.

    In addition, Proverbs (31:30) states, “False is grace and vain is beauty, a God-fearing woman, she should be praised.” The Gaon of Vilna explains this verse to be saying that beauty is vain only when it is not accompanied by one’s awe and fear of the Creator. But if beauty is accompanied by awe and fear of God, then it is indeed something to be valued and praised.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team