External Appearance

Are externals important? Why was Sarah Imeinu so beautiful, and why was it worthy of mentioning? Why is her beauty described as a virtue? Why didn’t her beauty diminish with old age?

Is a leader supposed to be tall? Is impressive stature a prerequisite for prophecy, or for kingship? Can a man of short stature be appointed as a judge? What does it signify when a leader is physically short? Is there a blessing to be recited upon seeing a person of extraordinary height? Is there an advantage in choosing a tall man as a marriage partner? And do tall people tend, as some suggest, toward foolishness?

These, among other related questions, will be discussed below.