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
10 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!
9. Oliver | August 26th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Damn cool man! Beard is the expression of manhood and nature as well. Don’t cut it!!!!!!!!!!!
10. matthew | July 17th, 2011 at 2:53 am
haha the one with the sunglasses. You look exactly like my brother in that one
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