Question:
I heard an anthropologist talking about chattels (wigs). She said how ironic it is that observant Jewish women wear wigs. In Biblical Judaism, the rule was that married women should cover their hair to appear modest and unattractive. In recent times, women wear wigs, which are sometimes more attractive than natural hair. So wearing a wig actually defeats the entire purpose of covering the hair! He was giving this as an example of how cultures forget the reasons behind their ancient traditions, and customs can develop in ways that contradict their original intentions. Do you have any comments?
Answer:
That anthropologist has not only mistaken the wig for real hair, but has also mistaken it for its version of true modesty. He equates modesty with unattractiveness, but that is his definition, not Judaism’s. From a Jewish perspective, modesty has nothing to do with being unattractive. Rather, modesty is a means of creating privacy. And that’s what wigs achieve.
Modesty has nothing to do with being unattractive. Covering hair was never intended to make a married woman look unattractive. Beauty is a divine gift, and Jewish tradition encourages both men and women to take care of their appearance and always look attractive. Jewish tradition also encourages humility; Not to diminish our beauty, but to channel our beauty and charm so that it is protected where it belongs – within marriage.
By covering her hair, the married woman makes the statement: “I am not available. You can see me but I am not open to the public. Even my hair, the most obvious and visible part of me, is not for your eyes. ” ,
Effect of cold oil Wear:
Covering hair has a profound effect on the wearer. This creates a psychological barrier, a cognitive distance, between him and strangers. Her beauty becomes visible but invisible; She is attractive but unavailable.
The wig achieves exactly the desired effect, because a wig allows a woman to cover all her hair while maintaining her attractive appearance. She can be proud of the way she looks without compromising her privacy. And even though her wig looks real enough to be mistaken for natural hair, she knows no one is seeing the real thing. She has created a personal space, and only she decides who is allowed into that space.
Perhaps in other religions there is no mixture of modesty and beauty. This is not the Jewish viewpoint. True beauty, inner beauty requires humility to protect it and allow it to flourish.