“Grace is false, beauty is vain;
A woman who fears יהוה, she should be praised.”
Mishlei/Proverbs 31:30
There are so many articles that talk about the beauty of women that there is no loss of words to describe us. I want to share a few words as well on a beauty that can be seen outside with a glance but that is hidden at a different level within.
Today’s definition of beauty can be achieved through diets, plastic surgery, success, popularity and a 6 figure income. We are trained to strive towards these notions at a very young age and many times made to feel below standards if we do not reach them. The true beauty of a nekevah (female) cannot be seen in how slim she is, her outside beauty, how far she has come up the corporate ladder or how much money she has in the bank. Her true beauty is reflected in her soul because it is inspired by a natural desire to care for everyone around her. Even as young girls, we wanted to play house and be caring mothers to our doll babies. This desire to be a mother at a very young age strengthens our bond of affection for our own children when they are born. This is the true inner beauty that we as the nekevah possess because it relates so much to the purpose in which we were created — to be a help mate to the man chosen for us by The Most High if we are willing to wait patiently for him.
What lessons, our father, Ya’akov must have pondered if he, in his old age of wisdom, would have ever thought about the true meaning of beauty. Would he have been able to see the difference between Rachel, the outer beauty of his eyes——and Leah, the inner beauty of his soul. Would he have seen a difference between the one who chose the gods of her father and the one who chose The Most High of his? Torah describes her as unloved by our father Ya’akov but yet we see how she was still faithful to hold on to her husband and to His Power even though she knew that she was second choice. What inner beauty and strength overlooked by the natural eyes of our father but revealed through the spiritual eyes of The Most High who sees into the mind. Who saw something more in our Mother Leah that he chose and blessed her womb to birth Priest’s and Kings for the Nation of Yisrael.
So now my sisters, I ask you? How much value do you place on external beauty? Do you think that your physical appearance is an expression of your internal beauty even if your internal beauty lacks humble character? Don’t be fooled!! To have true beauty, you need to possess more than just a beautiful frame because true beauty not only influences the eyes, but it influences the world, like our mother Leah. Who would have thought that the weak eyed one would birth two unconditional covenants with The Most High of Avraham, Yishaq and Ya’akov and not to mention, become the mother and raise the children of the sister rival who was first choice. This takes humbleness, kindness, inner strength and beauty. What a beautiful woman.
Let our mother Leah be an example and a model for you in your life. Seek the unseen qualities that were more valuable that a beautiful face and figure. Don’t place your heart into things that will fade away but hold on to what can be sustained. May The Most High of Avarham, Yishaq and Ya’akov bless your heart, mind and soul in seeking and obtaining true beauty that you may glorify Him and in turn be blessed.
The Nekevah Gang –Achoti Talmidahkana
Camp Kadosh 