Get Think Jewish Delivered to your Home or Office
HOME | CONTACT US | DONATE LoginLOGIN Ask the RabbiASK THE RABBI
Chabad.org - Torah, Judaism and Jewish Info Learning & Values
 
Chabad.org » Learning & Values » Questions & Answers » Miscellaneous » Is Beauty Truth? » Answer #6
PrintSend this page to a friendShare this
Comment4 Comments

Answer #6 - Yaakov Ort


Matthew Arnold made the beautiful and true observation that: "The Greeks worshipped the holiness of beauty; the Jews found beauty in holiness".

It can similarly be said that the Greek philosophers worshipped the holiness of truth; the Jewish sages found truth in holiness alone.

An exquisite solution to a mathematical problem, a glorious symphony, a breathtaking work of art or of poetry are all part and parcel of "the world of falsehood." They can carry us to "the world of truth," if we permit them to enjoin us, and them with the greatness or our Creator and the potential of our Higher Selves to bring holiness into the world.

To the Jewish Mind, if something can be perceived as holy, then it is by definition both beautiful and true. And if cannot be perceived as holy, than it can neither be beautiful, nor true.

PrintSend this page to a friendShare this
Comment4 Comments

Yaakov Ort, editor, activist   More articles...  |   RSS Listing of Newest Articles by this Author

Journalist, editor and marketing executive, Yaakov enjoyed a long career at The New York Times, most recently as Managing Director, Special Sections, and Group Director, Creative Services. Left NY Times to become Editor-in-Chief and Creative Services Director at Yeshiva University, before being promoted to Deputy Executive Director for University Communications at YU. In 2006, formed Yaakov Ort & Associates, which provides marketing communications strategies and services to not-for-profit organizations. In his voluntary life, Yaakov is a trustee and Vice Chair of the marketing committee of Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services of New York, and is President of JACS, an international organization serving Jewish men and women in recovery. Lives in Monsey, New York with his wife, Chaya Esther. Five amazing children, 14-24.


The content on this page is copyrighted by the author, publisher and/or Chabad.org, and is produced by Chabad.org. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you comply with the copyright policy.
 

Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: Sep 22, 2009
Tiferet is both Truth and Beauty
It sounds like you are speaking of the Kabbalistic sefirah attribute of Tiferet which is both Truth, Beauty and Compassion. It is the harmony of lovingkindness (Chesed) and Gevurah (restraint, discipline, boundaries, strictness, strength).

It is the sefirah of Yaakov (Jacob) Our forefather who balanced the lovingkindness of Avraham and the restraint of Yitzchak.

It is the center of the heart where Hashem's purest form, the purest part of our soul enters the world. That is why hashem wants the heart. He wants us to make room in our heart for the purest part of the soul he gave us to come through and build a dwelling place for him on the earth.

Through expression in work, art, prayer, relationships.

We are called B'Nei Yisrael, Yaakov's other name. Therefore we are called B'Nei Tiferet. Children of Beauty and Truth and Compassion. Offering Compassion to the world helps things arrive at beauty and truth. Sometimes more boundaries are needed. Sometimes more love.
Posted By Elyakeem, NY

Posted: Sep 21, 2009
Wow!!!
What A great answer! So powerful and to the point! Thank you, that's a concept I've been trying to put in perspective.
Posted By Rivkie Rothman, Brooklyn, New York

Posted: Sep 6, 2008
holiness is beauty
If we as Jews (and by extension of common concern in this matter, christians) have anything to give as a gift to the world, it is this realignment of the conception of Beauty to that which Heaven calls Beautiful, rather than what the fallen conception has become.
Posted By Heather, Lancaster, pa

Posted: Dec 14, 2007
statue of david
This article made me think of the statue of david. When I first saw it I was quite youngish and honestly somewhat repulsed. I thought he should put some clothes on. Supposedly many people find this statue beautiful. Yet, G-d clothed Adam and eve when they realized they were naked. Makes me wonder if perhaps the truth (nakedness) has to be covered to be beautiful? (or perhaps I'm just a prude).
Posted By Anonymous, Crestview, FL



 


Is Beauty Truth?
Answer #1
Answer #2
Answer #3
Answer #4
Answer #5
Answer #6
Answer #7