Sometimes, Looks Are Everything

רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יְהוּדָה מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחָאִי אוֹמֵר, הַנּוֹי וְהַכֹּחַ וְהָעוֹשֶׁר וְהַכָּבוֹד וְהַחָכְמָה וְהַזִּקְנָה וְהַשֵּׂיבָה וְהַבָּנִים נָאֶה לַצַּדִּיקִים וְנָאֶה לָעוֹלָם (פרקי אבות ו, ח)

Rabbi Shimon ben Yehuda would say in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai: Beauty, strength, wealth, honor, wisdom, sageness, old age and children are nice for the righteous and nice for the world. (Avos 6:8).

The  “nice” is puzzling. Elsewhere, the sages speak of a blessing being “good” or “beneficial” for the righteous and therefore “good” or “beneficial” for those around them, so why not say the same here? When we say that something is “nice”, we mean that it is appealing and likeable in our eyes. What then is the significance of saying that these eight things would be appealing and “nice” for the righteous to have? Appeal serves as a virtue only with regard to one’s relations with others; attractiveness is totally useless for someone living in complete isolation.

One whose looks are pleasing can influence others more easily than he whose appearance is unpleasant and unattractive, for positive first impressions are made simply by one’s external appeal. The meaning then of the statement that these eight qualities are “nice for the righteous” is that these features enhance their charm, effecting their interaction with their environment, for others will be eager to emulate and learn from them.

This was taught by Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai, of whom it is said that “Torah study was his occupation.” Though he sought no worldly calling, being wholly occupied and engrossed in Torah study, Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai nevertheless valued and recognized the need for external appeal and charm in making the Torah’s wisdom appreciated by others.

Sichos Kodesh 5740 Vol. 3, pp. 150, 163-164