DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO WEAR TO GREET MOSHIACH?
reprinted with permission from Jewish Tribune
Last Rosh Hashonoh my family discussed what it will be like when Moshiach comes and how we are all looking forward to his arrival. It was then that my mother asked, “Have you decided what you are going to wear to greet Moshiach?” The whole family got very nervous. I could not think of one outfit in my entire wardrobe which would be fitting for the Ovos and Imahos and other tzaddikim to see me dressed in!
How could I appear before them with my skirt just covering my knees? Maybe my new suit is okay? No, the problem is it’s too tight-fitting. Can one wear my skin colour tights? But how would Soroh Imeinu know there is some covering there? She will think it is my bare leg!
How can I wear my Shabbos shoes with those high platform heels? What will Moshiach say to that? I really like my new Shabbos outfit but it reaches my ankles - is that really appropriate for me to wear?
We all experienced a sinking feeling. How is it possible - though our wardrobes are packed with clothing - we have nothing to wear to greet Moshiach?
Then someone commented, "If all our clothes are not good enough for Moshiach, why are they okay for us to wear now? If we have been crowned by Hakodosh Boruch Hu with the most precious adornment - Bonim atem Lashem Elokeichem, shouldn’t we always look like Bnos Melochim?"
We were all speechless. We had absolutely nothing to say for ourselves. We had to confess we have nothing in which we would feel comfortable to appear before Moshiach. Suddenly the solution hit me like a bolt of lightning. “I think I would wear my school uniform! That’s something I’ll feel good about wearing!” Imagining to myself the throngs of Bais Yaakov girls all going out to greet our holy ancestors in one united uniform, my heart swelled with a warm glow.
But why is my uniform the only outfit of which Moshiach would be proud?
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So, if I understand correctly, in the writer's opinion, Moshiach, Avot and Imahot are shallow people, who "judge a book by its cover." I wonder what the author thinks of people who don't even think of wearing a suit to greet Moshiach. What does she think Sarah Imeinu wore? Just keeps me wondering how brain-washed the frum teenagers (assuming that's the age-group of the author) are by the institutions they attend.
5 comments:
I am not sure if it is the institutions fault. Maybe it is everyone else around them that are more concerned about wearing Tzniut clothing rather than being tzniut. People who go to shul in the 'garb' but sit there talking about others...those are truly my favorite. Maybe she's been around people like that to much and she feels what she will wear is by far more important than what her midos are?
Form over function, style over substance... they don't just happen in the secular world no matter how hard we try to believe otherwise.
If there's any real need for the world to be rescued, I hardly think G-d is going to send the style police. You don't send Simon Cowell to redeem the world. Punish it maybe...
First of all, if the Midrash is a guide, Sarah Imeinu won't be able to see if you have skin colour hose on because she always kept her face covered.
Secondly, forget how we'll great Moshiach. How will he greet us? If he's wearing a hat with the brim turned up or down the wrong way, or if he's wearing (chas v'shalom!) a knitted kippah, or if he's wearing a modern suit or a bekisher with wrong kind of embroidered pattern, or if his beard is trimmed or his peyes aren't the right length, well some groups just won't accept him as the legit article.
That's the real cause for concern in our community today, not the colour of our pantyhose.
This is teenage clothing obsession gone religious.
Good post.
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