‘Fashion Police’ vs Torah values

By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal

SAN DIEGO — Although I am embarrassed to it admit it, one of my guilty pleasures is the television show Fashion Police.

On Fashion Police Joan Rivers and three co-hosts analyze, praise, and trash various celebrities for the outfits they wear. I watch the show because Joan Rivers is outrageously funny, although her humor is often not suited for family audiences. However, I am embarrassed to admit I watch it because the show is all about judging facades. Although Joan and company do sometimes speak about a star’s values and deeds, more often than not they celebrate or condemn celebrities for their clothes, shoes, and purses. The Talmud says, “Do not look at the container, but what is in it.” Although the comment is made in regard to wisdom and age, it is good advice for any aspect of life. Our society is fixated on externals, clothing, money, beauty, fame, and athletic prowess while ignoring the moral quality and loving soul that lie within all of us.

When Abraham’s servant, Eliezer, brought Rebecca home to meet Isaac, “The servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.” (Gen. 24:66) That is, Eliezer told Isaac about all of the miraculous events that had led him to choose Rebecca as Isaac’s bride: his test at the well, Rebecca’s passing the test by giving water not only to him but his camels, and his discovery that Rebecca was mishpacha.   Nevertheless, Rabbi Yizchak Zev of Brisk teaches that the Torah continues: “Isaac then brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah….” (Gen. 24:67) Why? In order to speak with Rebecca and to see for himself what kind of woman she was.

It was not enough for Isaac to embrace Rebecca as his wife based on “externals,” the miracles that had occurred around her. This told him nothing about how she would be as a wife, mother, and matriarch of the Jewish People. Only after he got to know her heart and soul was he able to confirm what he felt when he first saw her, that she was going to be the great love of his life.

“Do not look at the container, but what is in it.”

*
Rabbi Rosenthal is spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel Synagogue.  He may be contacted at leonard.rosenthal@sdjewishworld.com