Dear Friends,
I’ve heard in casual conversation of late that during this pandemic some men are not shaving every day, women not putting on nail polish or other cosmetics, and many are foregoing the once-usual visits to the hair salon. Sound familiar?
Perhaps, we just don’t care how we look, or don’t need to care, when we are donning masks. As well, when we are in a world of anguish, how we appear might be secondary.
It seems that a complementary understanding was in vogue during the time of Joseph, when Pharaoh dreamed of seven goodly cows and seven lean cows, representing the forthcoming seven good years and the seven painful years of anguish and famine. The Torah called the first cows “beautiful of appearance.” Now, unless one is a milk or cattle farmer, which few of us are today, it might be a stretch to call cows, “beautiful of appearance.” But…
Such is the language of the Torah. And, that odd language prompted Rashi, our 11th century commentator, to explain: “’Beautiful of appearance,’ this is a sign of the days of plenty when creatures appear pleasing to each other, for the eye of one creature is not envious of the other.”
Fascinating! Rashi suggests that when we are amid times of plenty and abundance, creatures (and people) are more pleasantly disposed toward others. Good times brings out good vibes; people see each other more agreeably, and with appeal. Moreover, envy and jealousy dissipate. There is less inclination to note what one has and one lacks, or how one looks, when abundance is plentiful.
But, when there is deprivation or shortage, or times of upset, anguish or pandemic, people are more disposed to behave otherwise, and see each other as less pleasing.
Thus, Rashi offers a thoughtful reminder regarding the days in which we are living. Reflecting on the seven good years and the seven years of famine, our period of pandemic could cause our “beautiful of appearance” to wane, and our behavior to become suspect.
It takes resilience and resolve to be beautiful and to see beauty behind a mask. And, it takes the same to extend the courtesies of kindness when times are troubling. But, such are our times, and such are the demands which Godliness, righteousness and goodness demand.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
I’ve heard in casual conversation of late that during this pandemic some men are not shaving every day, women not putting on nail polish or other cosmetics, and many are foregoing the once-usual visits to the hair salon. Sound familiar?
Perhaps, we just don’t care how we look, or don’t need to care, when we are donning masks. As well, when we are in a world of anguish, how we appear might be secondary.
It seems that a complementary understanding was in vogue during the time of Joseph, when Pharaoh dreamed of seven goodly cows and seven lean cows, representing the forthcoming seven good years and the seven painful years of anguish and famine. The Torah called the first cows “beautiful of appearance.” Now, unless one is a milk or cattle farmer, which few of us are today, it might be a stretch to call cows, “beautiful of appearance.” But…
Such is the language of the Torah. And, that odd language prompted Rashi, our 11th century commentator, to explain: “’Beautiful of appearance,’ this is a sign of the days of plenty when creatures appear pleasing to each other, for the eye of one creature is not envious of the other.”
Fascinating! Rashi suggests that when we are amid times of plenty and abundance, creatures (and people) are more pleasantly disposed toward others. Good times brings out good vibes; people see each other more agreeably, and with appeal. Moreover, envy and jealousy dissipate. There is less inclination to note what one has and one lacks, or how one looks, when abundance is plentiful.
But, when there is deprivation or shortage, or times of upset, anguish or pandemic, people are more disposed to behave otherwise, and see each other as less pleasing.
Thus, Rashi offers a thoughtful reminder regarding the days in which we are living. Reflecting on the seven good years and the seven years of famine, our period of pandemic could cause our “beautiful of appearance” to wane, and our behavior to become suspect.
It takes resilience and resolve to be beautiful and to see beauty behind a mask. And, it takes the same to extend the courtesies of kindness when times are troubling. But, such are our times, and such are the demands which Godliness, righteousness and goodness demand.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn