The True Beauty of Torah Study

King Solomon writes in Proverbs, “Charm is false and beauty is naught, a G-d-fearing woman is the one to be praised.” The Midrash explains that this is a parable for Torah study: The lofty Torah study of Moses and Joshua’s generations, which appear to be “charming” and “beautiful,” are considered “false” compared to the learning of those Jews who cling to Torah with “fear of G-d” in times of persecution.