Image

The issues

STAIN ON YOUR SHIRT IS A STAIN ON YOUR CHARACTER

'A Torah Sage's clothing should be attractive and clean. It is forbidden that [a] blood or fat [stain] or the like be found on his garment.' (Maimonides : Hilchot Deot 5:9)

Our most revered sages knew how to dress properly and if they declined to do so they were not perceived as worthy. No matter how wise, respectable or honest a person is, such qualities are often overlooked if someone has an untidy look about them and fails to take pride in their appearance.

Image equates to perception. If you appear successful then people are more likely to 'buy' you. Rabbi Jonathan Dove, a London psychotherapist, spoke about a patient of his who had suffered from depression. When speaking to this man on the phone one day, Rabbi Dove commented to the gentleman that he did not sound depressed, to which the reply came, "I am at work, this is my business voice".

Similarly, perception can have the reverse effect. A recent news story emerged of three city stockbrokers who spent over £37,000 of their own money on wine for one meal. Although their actions were perfectly above board, the image they gave of their firm was an extravagant and brash one and they have subsequently left the company.

The way you dress can have a direct effect on you and your workplace. IBM has recently seen that regular dressing down days affect productivity in a negative way. When people are in casual dress their attitude is, similarly, more casual and there is less focus on their work.

People who consider themselves highly spiritual and do not see the importance of presenting themselves in a respectable manner have the wrong idea. Maimonides considers a blemish on one's clothes to be a blemish on one's persona. Jewish tradition states that there should be consistency of character. Our Rabbis teach us that angels have the quality of being consistent, in that their appearance is in keeping with their character.

They tell us, "If you see a person who resembles an angel, learn from them." One ought to be 'seen' as being whiter than white. Referring to those in charge of the incense in the Holy Temple, the Talmud says they would not permit their daughters to use any incense as perfume on their wedding day, lest people might accuse them of using the Temple incense for personal use. This ideal can be compared to the practices of some of today's companies, who have prize draws in which their staff members are not permitted to take part, for fear that they might be accused of fixing the result.

Image is an most important issue in Judaism. As a Jew in the workplace, one must be most careful not only to be honest, but also to give the perception of honesty, so that the image of Jews as greedy and grasping can be vanquished.