The Flat Earth Society

Other Discussion Boards => Philosophy, Religion & Society => Topic started by: Yaakov ben Avraham on September 29, 2014, 12:48:02 PM

Title: Cosmetics
Post by: Yaakov ben Avraham on September 29, 2014, 12:48:02 PM
My wife is vaguely amused. I don't usually use any cosmetics as such, aside from the basic items of personal care such as soap, shampoo, deoderant, and so-forth.

But now, I am using gardenia oil. And because it is Yves Rocher, it is VERY good quality stuff. It damned sure better be, I paid enough for it. It is 50% pure. This gives it a rather strong scent, as you can imagine. Not a bad scent, but a rather strong one. My wife finds this amusing.

And for what do I use it? Well, my Orthodox Jewish beard gets very brittle and dry. Not only does it become uncomfortable for my wife, it becomes uncomfortable even for me to wear. So I wear the gardenia oil, which keeps it moist and supple. But she definitely finds it humourous. Well, she is Lutheran. What can she she know about Orthodox Jewish beards.
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: Rama Set on September 29, 2014, 12:54:14 PM
That they suck and hurt her face?  What else does she need to know?
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: Yaakov ben Avraham on September 29, 2014, 01:34:49 PM
Well, in their brittle state, yes. But not in an oiled and soft state.
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: Lord Dave on September 29, 2014, 01:41:49 PM
Your not married to a Jew?  You're corrupting your culture with impurities?

Also: god doesn't want you to have a beard if he makes it dry and incomfortable.
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: beardo on September 29, 2014, 01:47:02 PM
My norse pagan beard is dry and flaky.
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: Rama Set on September 29, 2014, 03:17:11 PM
My patrician mangiacake beard is dry and flaky.
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: markjo on September 29, 2014, 04:40:56 PM
My wife is vaguely amused. I don't usually use any cosmetics as such, aside from the basic items of personal care such as soap, shampoo, deoderant, and so-forth.
Personal hygiene products are not generally considered to be cosmetics.  Cosmetics generally refer to makeup (lipstick, rouge, powders and such).

But now, I am using gardenia oil.
I don't think that gardenia oil is considered to be a cosmetic product either.  I'd say it's more of a hair care product, but it's also commonly used in perfumes.

Personally, I keep my beard relatively short and bring down some shampoo lather when I wash my hair to wash my beard and it seems to work just fine.
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: Yaakov ben Avraham on September 29, 2014, 05:17:25 PM
Well, I shampoo my beard too, but it still leaves it rather dry. Maybe its something to do with the nature of my hair. In any case, because gardenia oil is normally used by girls, and it is not my custom to use girly items, I consider it cosmetics. My beard is is not extremely long, but it looks definitely Orthodox enough. And perfume is definitely a cosmetic.

Of course, Jews have used oil in their beards since biblical days. The Psalms speak of oil dripping down Aaron's beard. I tried a variety of different things, and finally settled on gardenia oil.
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: markjo on September 29, 2014, 05:23:24 PM
I've heard good things about extra-virgin olive oil.
https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=200168782008&_fb_noscript=1
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: Yaakov ben Avraham on September 29, 2014, 05:36:43 PM
That's actually what the ancient Hebrews used. The Muslims got their beard requirement from us.
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: markjo on September 29, 2014, 06:02:36 PM
You gotta figure that if anyone knows how to maintain a beard in a desert, it'd be them.  ;D
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: Yaakov ben Avraham on September 29, 2014, 06:07:52 PM
Can't argue with that.
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: Ghost Spaghetti on September 29, 2014, 06:45:47 PM
What is there to discuss, exactly? Well done for having a silky-smooth beard?
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: Rushy on September 29, 2014, 11:28:48 PM
I didn't know having a beard was a Jewish requirement. Does this mean specifically that anyone in a military position (including Israelis) aren't proper Jews? You can't don a gas mask with a beard.
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: Yaakov ben Avraham on September 30, 2014, 01:59:09 AM
In order to save a life, which is what the military does by defending the homeland, shaving is permitted, as is fighting on the Sabbath, for example.
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: Rushy on September 30, 2014, 02:22:53 AM
What if your definition of "saving a life" varies a great deal from what God defines as such?
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: Yaakov ben Avraham on September 30, 2014, 03:10:26 AM
For the most part, the Rabbis tend to be VERY conservative on what they define as saving a life. I mean, can we truly know the mind of God without being a Prophet of God? I suspect not. But the Rabbis do their best, based on precedent, and based on the ancient principles of our Faith, to not be too liberal in their definitions. Once they have reached a definition, they are loathe to change it without very good reason.

In order to understand the process by which these decisions are made, I would encourage you to read an introduction to the Talmud. There are many good ones out there. Everyman's Talmud is a good one to start with. You will at least get a flavour of the process involved in the argumentation and decision-making process used to make policy. You may find it interesting.
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: markjo on September 30, 2014, 03:11:17 AM
Well, it didn't take Rushy long to get this thread back off topic.  ::)
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: Yaakov ben Avraham on September 30, 2014, 03:19:56 AM
I'm ok with RUSHY taking the thread off topic a bit. As long as the questions are legitimate, I don't mind tangents. They don't bother me provided they contribute to a learned conversation between intelligent persons.
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: Vindictus on September 30, 2014, 03:22:23 AM
It was off topic to begin with. Beards have nothing to do with this sub fora.
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: markjo on September 30, 2014, 03:34:08 AM
Good point.  Beards don't have much of anything to do with cosmetics either.
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: Yaakov ben Avraham on September 30, 2014, 04:20:17 AM
VINDICTUS, the correct noun is "sub-forum". And do quit whining. You sound like a baby.
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: beardo on September 30, 2014, 06:18:01 AM
Can you have a Jewish beard and not be a Jew?
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: DuckDodgers on September 30, 2014, 03:14:58 PM
Is the crux of the OP "my wife makes fun of my use of beard oil lol"?
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: Yaakov ben Avraham on September 30, 2014, 03:58:28 PM
Essentially, yes. She thinks it is rather humourous that a big tough man uses something so feminine as gardenia oil. I think she thinks it is cute.
Title: Re: Cosmetics
Post by: Thork on September 30, 2014, 04:34:56 PM
You claim your beard is now moist. That sounds like a breeding ground for bacteria. Dead skin, warm, moisture. That pungent smell is probably deliberate to stop you smelling like a tramp's anorak.