Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananya teaches us that, generally, focusing on externals comes at the expense of internal wisdom. Yet, in rare and exceptional cases, beauty and wisdom do coexist, and are a sign of a unique Divine mission, marking those individuals as specially endowed to fulfill extraordinary roles in the world.
While one might assume that Rabbi Yehoshua neglected his clothing, giving the Emperor’s daughter reason to call him “a beautiful wisdom in an ugly vessel,” this cannot be the case. The Gemara (Shabbos 114a) states that if a talmud chocham is found with a stain of grease or fat on his garment, he is liable to death, as he is obligated to honor himself out of respect for the Torah.
The pasuk (Mishlei 8:36) warns, “All who hate Me love death,” indicating that one who causes the Torah to be despised through a disheveled appearance is regarded as if he despises the Torah itself.
Rabbi Yehoshua certainly adhered to the Rambam’s instruction (Hilchos De’os 5:8): “A talmud chocham’s clothing should be clean and presentable. It is forbidden for him to have a stain or grease mark on his garments. Yet he should not wear regal clothing, such as gold or purple garments that draw attention, nor should he wear shabby clothing that disgraces the wearer. Instead, his garments should be of moderate quality: neat, respectable, and dignified.”
Therefore, the Emperor’s daughter must be referring to Rabbi Yehoshua’s lower standards, not a disheveled look.
(The Rishonim and Achronim discuss what constitutes a “stain” forbidden in this context. Since the details vary according to time and culture, we will not delve into them here. The principle, however, is clear: anything that appears unpleasant or repulsive to others is prohibited, while excessive concern with luxurious or extravagant clothing beyond ordinary, respectable standards is unnecessary.)
