More about beards
In the interest of education, rabbinical awareness, and as a result of massive public inquiry, I have prepared this short exposé.
People don’t often talk about beards – particularly in relation to style – and it is therefore my hope that I can do my part to shed light and offer guidance.
Consider figure one:
Notice how the beard and hat naturally complement each other – the hat adding height and the beard, length. The hat and beard combination is a standard look found in most communities around the Jewish world. As in contrast to figure two:
Figure two is a striking look indeed! Typical amongst Jewish desert dwellers, the beard adds a rugged, harder edge.
In figure three we find a look more common amongst Jewish educators in the Diaspora. The beard and sunglasses create a natural balance that enables the educator to “blend in” with the general population.
Finally in figure four we find a more personal, contemplative look. The beard is neatly tucked away to allow for meditation and quiet introspection.
Far from being a nuisance, the beard enables the Jewish man to take on myriad looks, conform to new trends and fashion, and to express his uniqueness and individuality.
August 24th, 2008 Jewish Issues, Beards
8 Comments Add your own
1. Ruth | August 24th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Oh no! Tzvi, is this your interpretation of a midlife crisis? Some men buy fancy cars, motorbikes whilst others maybe go for the fashion of younger men…but YOU are having hysterics exercising your humor with a myriad of expressions with your beard! It is too much! You look like a raving lunatic in most of them….and pained in the last one ( the truth is it looks like the cat maybe hanging from the bottom of it!)….and the worst thing of all? I can’t stop laughing at the whole thing!
2. Daniel Klatzkow | August 24th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
You have lost it Rabbi!!!!
3. Joel Mirkin | August 24th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Gluckin! You are officially nuts. I think your beard is the source of your craziness. Since it looks like your sticking with it, I vote for the obscenely big shades style. Do those things go over your glasses?
4. Leah | August 25th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
What about the Devendra-Banhart-inspired-hipster-musician beard? Or how about the suspenders-flannels-redneck-Lumberjack beard look? Or herbal-tea-drinking-yoga-instructor beard? Yes, it seems the possibilities for bearded identity transformation are truly endless!
5. Jess Lipsitt | August 26th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
you are the funniest person alive
6. Mark K | August 27th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Tzvi… you are awesome! This totally made my day… thank you!!!
7. Jay Grossman | August 27th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
I think spent too much time in Monsey last week!!! Go chill out somewhere. (You look like a Charles Manson wannabe)
8. Perel Grossman | August 27th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
You look like FOUR of the guys who always show up to my singles events! But I gotta admit, I laughed out loud!
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