This is not a nit-pick article. This article is for ladies who have a deep relationship with the Father and wish to continue to evaluate every area of their lives, even the little ones.
When I was ten-eleven I really wanted to shave my legs. I knew several girls at our fellowship who had been shaving since they were eight-years-old. It was such a ‘grown-up’ thing to do, you know. Mother Dear said when we were twelve we could shave so I impatiently waited a few more years. The day of my twelve birth-date I grabbed the razor and headed to the bathroom. Mother Dear even took some photos. It was a very memorable event in my twelve years. My legs felt silky-smooth.
Our society puts so much emphasis on shaving and waxing from shaving creams to fancy razors to having to shave a tan-line to going to a spa for a waxing on lips and eyebrows. Women who don’t shave, especially their under-arms, are thought to have bad hygiene, but what’s the truth? Why is it so normal to shave and abnormal to leave the hair on your body alone?
Decades ago women didn’t shave. It was unnecessary due to the fact that neither their under-arms nor their legs were shown to anyone except their spouse. It wasn’t unattractive or uncleanly to have hair on your legs or under-arms for women or to men… it was natural. Today our way of viewing hairy legs and under-arms is twisted and distorted.
Why do ladies shave today? While shaving has been around for centuries, women only started shaving their under-arms in the early 1900′s due to fashions of shorter sleeves, and then in the 1930′s-40′s the trend of shaving your legs appeared. If we go no further we can see that the entire motivation for shaving only occurs because women were trying to keep up with someone else’s standards.This is a very poor mindset to have, and makes one easily swayed in beliefs and opinions. Do we even think about this habit or is it something our society does, therefore we do too? History has proven that the latter is in most cases the answer.
The majority of your body is covered in hair from your head to the tops of your toes. The Father created us with that hair for a purpose and by shaving it off we make void his purpose in our lives in this area, though one may view it as a very small and insignificant.
In the Scriptures men are told not to shave off nor allow their beards to grow too long, but to keep them cut and tidy. The examples we see of using a razor on one’s skin in the Scriptures is when the priests were purified, when the Nazerite vow was completed, when someone was humiliated, when someone was mourning, and when a pagan-woman was brought into the Faith. All of these examples were to serve a purpose as having a razor touch your skin was a serious matter to Yah.
In reviewing all that I have researched and found in the Scriptures I have been convicted of shaving as vanity. I find no real reason to shave nor do I find it is something I should do via the Scriptures. Growing up in the culture of which I was born I know having silky-smooth legs is what is desired. Is it feminine? It is the way Yah made me therefore it is feminine. What it is not, according to our society, is sexy, and that is alright with me. My goal in the way I dress is not to be sexy. It is to be set-apart and Yah-honouring.
Do you shave? Have you ever really thought about why you shave? Most importantly, have you consulted the Scriptures on this practice?
About The Author
Great topic, Jocelyn!!
Too many things “of the world” creep into our lives unnoticed, if we don’t take the time to stop and analyze “the little things”.
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I have considered this myself, and find that I have no need to shave when i wear my skirts at ankle-length and wear longer short sleeves (instead of tank tops). ;) I think it is due in part to vanity as well…if you look at those 40′s pictures of women, they all have short knee length skirts on and their legs are the first thing you look at. :P I want people to see my face and to look at me and see a godly Believing young woman…not to be thinking about my “nice legs”.
Blessings!
~Rachel~
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I do shave, and I personally think there is absolutely nothing wrong with shaving. I shave because it is much much easier to rub my skin with moisturizing oil when there is no hair in the way and it is more comfortable. I don’t keep everything silky-smooth all the time (over-shaving causes skin irritation), but I shave enough to keep body hair from growing more than half a cm. Yes, our culture views hair-free skin as a beauty essential. Our culture’s ideal of beauty is different than it was in the time of the OT. When or if I am married, I will continue to shave for the above reasons and because it will most likely be more attractive to my husband. I also think that not shaving (if you wear skirts that are below the knee, but not to the ankles, or short sleeve shirts in the summer) can be a distraction to others. I like having shaved skin! There have been times when I wasn’t able to shave for a while and the extra hair was most uncomfortable! It seemed to poke me whichever way I moved… I’m glad I shave! = )
Respectfully,
Kate
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What an interesting topic! I have actually been thinking about this alot lately, especially with the approaching warmer weather and in the pursuit of more feminine dress. I think that you present a very interesting argument, however personally I have not been able to cease shaving! While I think you have a very good point that shaving is often the result of societal pressure and the desire the shy away from looking or being “weird” by not shaving, for me it really boils down to feelings of cleanliness. In the fall I decided to try not shaving – however after several months I came to the conclusion that I was actually becoming more frustrated and appearance focused because I felt unclean and uncomfortable. Personally I believe that the ultimate goal of dressing modestly is to honor and respect our heavenly Father and for me the distraction of not shaving was distracting my heart and mind. Although I totally agree with you that God created women perfect and beautiful (with hair!) and admire your convictions I think it is a personal decision that should be approached with prayer and the question of what will allow you to honor and worship God more!
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Becks's reply:
June 2nd, 2010 at 5:15 am
I agree with Julianne. To me it’s not about what other people see. A couple of times I’ve been forced into not shaving thanks to injuries, and it’s just so uncomfortable, unclean feeling, itchy, and, under the arms especially, it makes me sweat much more.
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I have never thought about this topic is such depth before. I do, in fact, shave. I do not believe I am conforming to the world, it is merely a personal comfort and a daily luxury. It is my hope that this practice does not become a vain one.
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This is an interesting topic that you don’t often see mentioned in Believing ladies circles. For my part, I used to shave very regularly when I was “younger” and wore shorts and tank tops all summer. And I still did, after the Lord changed my heart regarding dressing femininely and modestly, and I was wearing skirts and dresses all the time. I don’t even remember when it was that I stopped, it’s been years now. My reasons were- laziness, I just hated taking the time to shave! I have extra hairy legs, and had to shave very frequently. Also I realized that with my longer dresses/skirts, my legs rarely even showed. I have very long legs and I don’t look good in shorter skirt, so my skirts all come to the top of my foot.
Right around the same time I was thinking about all of this I found an article in a Faith-based magazine about the history of woman shaving, along with thinking that if God gave it to me, why was I taking it off? That kind of was the clincher for me.
As a couple of you ladies commented, it is uncomfortable right at first, because you are not use to it. Especially when you wear long socks in the winter.(like I did – ouch!)
Some of my sisters wear shorter skirts (mid calf – ankle) and they shave, or partly shave. No, you don’t want to “gross” any one out! :-)
For the first few years I didn’t shave, I found myself being very self-conscience about making sure my legs didn’t show. Finely I just came to the conclusion that it really didn’t matter what other people thought about me. If I was doing what I was doing for God’s glory, that is all that matters. If I do wear a shorter skirt, I make sure I am wearing socks.
I guess I have gone on long enough. :-) Thanks for bringing up the interesting topic!
~ FaithAnn
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I personally shave and for me, I don’t see anything wrong with it. I shave because my skin is easier to take care of and it’s more comfortable. I don’t shave everyday or even every other day to keep everything smooth- more like 2-3 times per week. I do agree that our culture is very vain in it’s practices. Yes, it does view silky smooth legs and underarms as sexy. My purpose in shaving isn’t to conform to our culture. It is to remove a distraction for others because I know it is for me. It is also very likely that I will be a married woman someday and shave because it probably will be most attractive to my husband.
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I hope you ladies, who are not married yet, marry a man who doesn’t see you as attractive according to what the world deems it. I know I praying for a man like that, not worry about it, and knowing the Father will provide!
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Hannah Braboy's reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
Yes, I am positive the Father will provide. Thank you for the thought-provoking article!
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The only point I’d like to make is that shaving one’s legs(the underarms I’m not sure about…) came into vogue about a century earlier than your article says. The trend started in France in the early-mid 1800s. Not everyone did it, but it was done.
I, personally, shave my legs once or twice a week and my underarms daily. I simply feel cleaner and more put together when I do.
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Miss Jocelyn Tzahala's reply:
June 1st, 2010 at 9:25 pm
Thanks for the comment – do you have any links for the date of women shaving? I couldn’t find anything earlier than the 20th century.
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I personally do shave because it makes me feel cleaner and more feminine. I don’t think that shaving is wrong, but if I were you, I wouldn’t flaunt your legs or wear short sleeves just because all of your natural hair is gone and it feels “good”. That is exactly what the world wants! Whatever anyone’s convictions are, I think that they should pursue them with all their might. Do whatever will bring your closer to the Father!
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I shave, but it’s easier for me to put lotion on, like Kate said. No one sees my underarms or my legs. I imagine that if I had never started shaving, it wouldn’t bother me not to. Now that I do, it’s more of a habit than anything else.
Prayers,
Esther
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Shaving in my mind is considered clean and ladylike, and I don’t want to “gross out” anyone. :)
However, you have to be doing it for the right reasons, which I mentioned above. (I don’t want to flaunt myself, or appear seductive in any way!) Also, I believe that it is an unnecesary waste of time and money to shave every day…in the summer, twice a week is plenty, at least for me.
Shaving may also become a temptation to be immodest, so I have to train myself to be moderate and discreet.
Blessings,
~Annie~
BTW, thanks for the history lesson! :) Very interesting.
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I received these questions in a comment that I wanted to answer:
“I’m sure most of us brush our teeth and wear deodorant (I hope!), why is shaving any different?”
By not shaving, our legs won’t fall off. Unlike if we don’t brush our teeth because our teeth WILL fall out. Brushing one’s teeth IS a necessity and it is properly caring for one’s body. Removing the hair from your body is done for comfort reasons, as has been stated thus far in the comments. Not a necessity to be clean or to properly take care of your body.
I personally quit wearing deodorant several years ago and just started eating right….. that alone will take care of body-odor.
“There are a lot of things we do to change how we would be naturally.”
Correct, and its wrong.
“God gave me poor vision”
I beg to differ. We are made in the image of Yah himself. He is perfect. It is because our fallen world of sin that we have defects. There are many reasons one could have poor eye-sight, from the time of conception to childhood and beyond.
The only reason any woman feels the need to shave (to feel clean or not) is because of society. If any of you had grown up in a society where shaving was unheard of you wouldn’t feel unclean or would think you couldn’t properly apply lotions to your legs because you had hair there…
Today our way of viewing hairy legs and under-arms is twisted and distorted.
If having hair under your arms makes you sweat more, that is good. Sweating is our bodies way of letting out toxins and other things in our bodies that we need to get out. Like I said above, body odor can be contained by proper eating habits or natural remedies.
We are covered from head to toe in hair by YAH. I am sure it is for a good reason, even if we think we know and feel better without.
:)
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I have always been a huge fan of jeans, only because I could wear them everyday and never have to shave my legs. I will say that I do shave my legs, when I feel I “have” to. The feeling usually comes when I decide to wear a skirt that shows part of my legs.
Though I have been ‘collecting’ skirts since I was in high school, I would rarely wear them. Why? Because I would have to shave my pasty legs, and to me, that was always such a hassle. However, after finding this site, I bore witness with its stance on femininity, and I donated all but three pairs of pants to a local Goodwill a few weeks ago. While all of my skirts at least hit my knee, only two of them are full length. That being said, I have been shaving a bit more often, though still not everyday. I have never stopped shaving my under-arms, however.
Even though I continue to shave for circumstances that society deems it ‘necessary,’ I agree with the opinion that it is, in fact, unnecessary and unnatural. So why then, if I am in agreement, do I continue the practice? I can plainly tell you that I do so solely because of the fear of man’s opinion. Is this right? I tell you no, it is not right. I should not have such fear, but the fact remains that I do.
Being ‘different’ is highly advocated in today’s society, to a degree. It is ‘cool’ to rebel against ‘most’ social norms, but not all, shaving being a prime example. A woman with hairy legs or armpits will be snickered at if her hair is witnessed. This, you know, is true. And do we want to be snickered at and ridiculed? No. We are a vain people, and being ‘accepted’ is much desired.
We are all, on this site (as far as I can tell), followers and believers of the Messiah, which has automatically made us outcasts of society, or SHOULD rather. However, the majority of believers, as evidence by ‘relevant’ churches, are doing our best to conform to society, because we have the mindset that if WE are acceptable than the MESSAGE we carry with us will be more acceptable also. Such is NOT the case. The Holy Spirit is what makes the message of the Gospel acceptable in the hearts of man, and if that person’s heart is hardened towards the Spirit, your social status will not affect the matter.
So in conclusion, as a weak feeble-minded human, I am highly appreciative of sites such as this one that promote being Set-Apart, as we are meant to be. I hope that in fellowshipping with those of you on here, that I can be edified and encouraged to continue to rid myself of the leaven of the world, and that not only I, but WE, can overcome the vanity of fearing man’s opinion.
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Haha I thought this was a good.I love you girl! I love your passion to please YHWH and anyone/anything that says anything just doesn’t matter… I won’t lie, I do have some “fear of man” issues that only my Creator can complete in me but thank you for being a wonderful example! Never really thought shaving as a topic of discussion but I suppose everything is! I loved to read everyone’s responses! Made me laugh at some points. . . It was like talking at a sleepover with my sisters.
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Miss Jocelyn Tzahala's reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 12:26 am
*smiles* Thank you, Shani! Love you back, dear!
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Women didn’t shave their body hair decades ago, that is right. But hair removal is not a newly invented western thing. Throughout the centuries and cultures both men and women have removed their body hair with tweezers, razors, pumice stones, depilatory creams, melted sugar, beeswax, pitch, quicklime, caustic lye – even with plain string. Threading was and is a common way to remove hair in Middle East, both jewish and islamic women used/use it.
This has been made for different reasons: to show status/class, for hygienic and medical reasons, for religious reasons (for example before mikveh in certain jewish communities), to prevent decapitation in battle fields etc. Hair removal has been practiced in India, Rome, Greek, China, Middle East, Europe, South American tribes…even amongst native americans.
I’m reading ‘the Travel Guide to Medieval England’ by Ian Mortimer which introduces life in 14th century. He mentions there use of tweezers and pitch to remove “unwanted or unsightly hair”. This in 14th century when only bare skin European women to show were face and fingers.
I’m not saying that this right because it is an old and much used practice. No, on the contrary. This is something we all have to ponder throughly. Vanity vs. necessity, worldliness vs. set-apartness.
I’m so blonde with baby fine hair that I don’t need to shave my legs even if I wanted to. They look similar with and without leg hair, lol. I do shave my underarms regularly, though. Part of habit, part of hygiene reasons (I exercise a lot to keep myself functioning – when I lost my ability to even walk I made a promise to honor my health and keep fit. For me keeping fit means daily exercises just to maintain mobility and minimizing use of strong medication) and part of my awful smelly sweat which comes from my usage of necessary drugs. Maybe someday I can quit both medication and shaving my underarms. For then I cope with what I have.
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Miss Jocelyn Tzahala's reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Thank you for your comment Kristiina – the custom of plucking one’s forehead in the Elizabethan era came to mind as women wanted to appear to have higher foreheads (again vanity).
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Just curious if you had a mustache would you shave it?
As in a case such as this one that i just came across..(I didnt even watch the video I just saw the picture of the lady )
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Miss Jocelyn Tzahala's reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 4:57 pm
That is a bit off topic, and I don’t have this problem so I cannot really answer your question. I do believe that a natural remedy could be found.
I unlinked the site with the video because it is a transgnder oriented site that I do not wish to have linked here, and I would also venture to say that the ‘woman’ in the video may also have cross the ‘gender spectrum’. Like I said before, we are made in the image of a perfect God and I believe these defects, such has a woman having a beard, coming from living in a fallen world of sin. I read an article several months ago that talked about boys literally being born more feminine than masculine because of common chemicals found in plastics (our world is surrounded in plastic! I remember the story of the man who’s mother worked at a plastic-factory that had defects due to her being around these chemicals). These boys were literally formed in the womb with more of this gene than another because of the sinful and distorted world we live in, but I also believe that bonds can be broken by the redeeming blood of Yeshua the Messiah.
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I shave daily and see nothing wrong with it. Having unshaved legs and underarms (and in my case, arms) is not comfortable. I am of Spanish descent, and my hair is very dark and thick. It looks very horrible if I forget to shave. Do I think it is wrong to not shave? Definiatly not! This is up to each lady and the Lord. Great article, Jocelyn!
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I quit shaving a while back and the biggest reason was because it kind of creeped me out to think about this: Who doesn’t typically have hair on their arms, legs and private areas? Prepubescent / early adolescent girls and boys. By shaving, what kind of thoughts am I encouraging – conscious or unconscious – in the men who see me?
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I don’t shave, not because I have religious beliefs but because it doesn’t feel … healthy … it’s just some inherent knowing that I have the more time I spend in nature and observing the perfection of things as they are.
I have often wondered if breast cancer has become so prevalent because of shaving and the use of antiperspirants?
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I have always questioned shaving. I have never understood why we, women, do so. I have gone through periods in my life where I did not shave at all, and I and my husband were completely comfortable and okay with that.
I actually prefer not to shave. However, living in Texas, I do prefer to wear shorts and tank tops, and I simply have not become comfortable enough with not shaving to wear these clothes without shaving out in public. I know it is vain, and it is something I have struggled with a lot, as I do not let peoples opinions sway me in my decisions, but for some reason I still am stuck with this one. If I had company in it, I think I would not be so concerned with it and just not shave.
Thank you for having the courage to be bold and address this topic! I loved your post.
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I’m nearly 40 and I quit shaving my legs nearly 25 years ago and my legs have been silky smooth ever since. I have no unsightly or overgrown hair on my legs. Thankfully because I haven’t shaved my legs they don’t grow hair. I believe the habit of shaving perpetuates itself. Within the past 2 years I quit shaving my underarms as well and also thankfully, I do not have an excessive amount of hair there either. These were personal choices I made and had nothing to do with any religions, btw.
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i know where it talks about not shaving your beard in the scriptures. but where does it talk about keeping it “tidy”. i have never seen that…..
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Miss Jocelyn Tzahala's reply:
June 4th, 2010 at 11:46 pm
It is in Ezekiel, I believe. :)
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When I was pregnant I stopped shaving and I felt fine about it. Now I shave once a month or every other month. My hair is dark and thick but I really don’t mind it. I’ll wear a skirt or bathing suit without shaving. I am only 34 but I found the older I get the less I feel the need to fit in. That goes for all of my life. So I do what feels good to me. And love to question myself and the things I do. I enjoy living simply. Yet none of this has made me less feminine. How I feel on the inside refelcts to my outter beauty. In fact I feel more feminine , more of an empowered woman now. As I said I still shave once in a while but only when I feel like it. Thanks for writing this article-I do feel like it’s just what I needed to read. I am thinking i may stop shaving.
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I went through a phase for about 2 years in college where I did not shave my legs, and I found I was cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. That hair is there for a reason! I couldn’t deal with not shaving under my arms though. Now that I dress more conservatively, I shave my legs only occasionally, and mostly just from the ankle to knee. Also, back when I worked in an office and had to wear pantyhose, I pretty much had to shave my legs or it would hurt. Also, (I know this is turning into a bunch of random thoughts) my husband doesn’t use deodorant (nor does he shave under his arms), he eats a very nutritious diet, and he does not have any odor.
I wish more women did not shave and it was more “normal” not to.
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I do shave, I’m not doing it to be sexy or anything. I don’t think it’s wrong at all. But my dad has always said that we can become too (way too) focused on the small things (Such as how we dress, what kind of music we listen to etc. Though I believe we should dress right and such) that we loose sight of the purpose! A girl wearing pants is no more spiritual than I am! I’m just saying that you can get way too involved in the small things, that you forget about what’s really important! Instead of giving your input on whether this shirts too tight or this is too short etc.. Go out and pass out tracts, witness!
I’m not saying that what your doing is wrong of course. I believe it’s good to have the right standards. :)
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Miss Jocelyn Tzahala's reply:
June 5th, 2010 at 12:26 am
Hi there, thank you for leaving a comment. I think my note at the beginning of the article may help you better understand the purpose of it: This is not a nit-pick article. This article is for ladies who have a deep relationship with the Father and wish to continue to evaluate every area of their lives, even the little ones.
Since I began blogging four-years ago the Father has called me to speak, not to unbelievers, but to those already of the Faith who long for a deeper relationship with him and to share what he is teaching me about all the little things that add up to the grand design.
We serve a very detailed God. He listed the foods we are and aren’t to eat, the clothes we are to wear, how we are to wear them, how we are to observe his Appointed times, he specific instructions about building the Tent of Meeting, how not to follow the pagans, and so much many other “little” things and many without reason! He also gave many many details about the Messiah. We are called to be set-apart as he is set-part. We know what set-apart means by how he defined it and that equals a lot of little things. He is the potter and we are the clay… he will continue to allow us to be chipped away until we are molded into what he desires of us. These little things are directed at our purpose: to bring esteem and radiance to the name of the Father and the Son.
Besides that, I have had many many people email me and let me know what a witness my websites, this and my personal one, have been to them…. peoples of all faiths and beliefs… muslims, liberals, christians, messianics, etc. The Father places a subject on my heart and I study and search it out before presenting it, and allow him to use in the lives of others as he will, even if it is just for one person.
As for passing out tracts, I try look at what the Messiah did and have studied how Rabbis of his day made disciples… what I am doing here is along those lines.
Also, I did not ever say shaving was a sin in itself, but we have to be willing to look at it for what it is… vanity. What does the Scriptures say about that?
Shalom to you!
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Uh oh! didn’t like being confronted with how false your teachings are, huh?
No problem. I’ll give you a chance to re-consider. Then it goes on Facebook with a link to this blog and believe me your ridiculous exegesis on shaving will be exposed to a whole lot more people that way.
Remember this! Navel-gazing is not exactly a spirit filled activity! rotlfamo
And no, people don’t just brush their hair clean or their teeth etc so they don’t fall out. They want to look good.
That’s not necessarily vanity. Nor is it always the case that society’s view of what’s beautiful is at odds with the scripture. Much as it may serve your world view to suggest as much. I’m just guessing here. What do you have against trying to look good, anyway?
And, nice try attempting to walk back from the sin issue. You may not have explicitly said shaving was a sin, but you sure wanted people to draw that conclusion!
Remember, as long as you’re willing to be honest, you don’t have to be afraid of…
Big Daddy
PS But people should know of your cowardice.
Just admit you have no idea what you are talking about!
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Miss Jocelyn Tzahala's reply:
June 5th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Dear Sir,
I did not publish your comment because I do not have the time to argue doctrines with people who clearly disagree with what I believe, and your comment was very argumentative. “But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, quarrels and fights about the Torah; because they are worthless and futile. Warn a divisive person once, then a second time; and after that’, have nothing more to do with him. (Titus 3:9-10)
You’re welcome to post the link on facebook and post your opinions there – that will only bring more exposure to my site (!!) and I will still not publish comments *I* as site owner deem inappropriate. I do not respond well to threats and not ones from older men who deem me a coward. I’ve had many many people dedicate blog posts and forum threads to me…. and all I have to do press on towards to the goal set before me… the Messiah.
I don’t have anything against looking good, btw, and take very good care of myself and appearance.
I only want people to look at all things in their lives, even the little ones, and consider why they do them and if it lives in accord with the Spirit of Yah.
Shalom be upon you!
Miss Jocelyn
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Ashlyn's reply:
June 5th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
On speaking about what we believe to be true: TRUST
2 Corinthians 4:6-14
“6 For it is the God who once said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has made his light shine in our hearts, the light of the knowledge of God’s glory shining in the face of the Messiah Yeshua. 7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it will be evident that such overwhelming power comes from God and not from us. 8 We have all kinds of troubles, but we are not crushed; we are perplexed, yet not in despair; 9 persecuted, yet not abandoned; knocked down, yet not destroyed. 10 We always carry in our bodies the dying of Yeshua, so that the life of Yeshua may be manifested in our bodies too. 11 For we who are alive are always being handed over to death for Yeshua’s sake, so that Yeshua’s life also might be manifested in our mortal bodies. 12 Thus death is at work in us but life in you. 13 The Tanakh says, “I trusted, therefore I spoke.”b Since we have that same Spirit who enables us to trust, we also trust and therefore speak; 14 because we know that he who raised the Lord Yeshua will also raise us with Yeshua and bring us along with you into his presence.”
On so-called ‘Naval-Gazing”
James 1:22-27
“22 Don’t deceive yourselves by only hearing what the Word says, but do it! 23 For whoever hears the Word but doesn’t do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror, 24 who looks at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But if a person looks closely into the perfect Torah, which gives freedom, and continues, becoming not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work it requires, then he will be blessed in what he does. 26 Anyone who thinks he is religiously observant but does not control his tongue is deceiving himself, and his observance counts for nothing. 27 The religious observance that God the Father considers pure and faultless is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being contaminated by the world.”
Forerunner Commentary
“Self-examination is such an important spiritual activity that God includes it as a major part of one of His seven festivals, the Feast of Unleavened Bread.” http://www.bibletools.org/inde.....elves-.htm
If you are unaware the statutes concerning that feast, we are to search our houses and rid them of leaven. The spiritual equivalent is searching our hearts and ridding ourselves of the leaven of man and the world.
“This article is for ladies who have a deep relationship with the Father and wish to continue to evaluate every area of their lives, even the little ones.”
Those to which this article is addressed is clearly stated. Some ladies may still be sifting through the bigger issues of the world, so this specific issue may seem superfluous at this point in there lives. I believe that as we continue to evaluate our lives, we will realize that once we’ve overcome and rid ourselves of the prominent leaven of the world, we will still desire to consecrate ourselves more fully to our Father.
This in my eyes, and it seems to be the author’s as well, is a “Set Apart” issue, and not blatantly a “sin” issue for the most part. Each person’s own intent behind shaving will determine whether or not it is a sin in their life.
I do want to make this comment, however. I believe (and I hope that this is not viewed as blasphemous) that if He were a woman living in today’s culture, Yeshua would not shave his legs.
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Paul's reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 11:17 am
If Yahweh didn’t want us to have hair on our body He wouldn’t make it that we can grow it. Too many people here are addicted to the worlds ways and need to get back to the truth. Thank you Jocelyn for being brave and speaking the truth!!! You are a blessing. keep up the great work.
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Big Daddy’s comment was bit harsh but some things he points out are quite truthful. It can sometimes seem like you want everyone to draw the same conclusions that you do which are not always biblical. It is just uour interpretation of the Torah because some things it does not explicitly state-kinda like a false teacher. Just because people dedicate things to you that does not mean you are always right. People dedicate things to the devil and satanism.
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Miss Jocelyn Tzahala's reply:
June 5th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
Thank you for your comment.
I think I may have not clearly gotten the fact across that the posts and forums dedicated to me were not in praise of me (I am not doing anything for praise but for edification and ‘iron sharpening iron’), but ridicule and sneering at the standards I hold to.
;)
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I think it is very sad that some people are going so overboard with this! Miss Jocelyn simply is stating her belief and is being so gracious as to let us express ours. There is a difference between doctrine and preference. You would never argue with someone who says they prefer vanilla ice cream over strawberry, would you? No, because you know how stupid that would be! Don’t argue over someone’s religious PREFERENCE! It’s not as if she is exclaiming herecy. If you are offended by what she or anyone else says, do not hesitate to click the little red “X” in the corner!
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Jocelyn you seem to have stirred some emotions here with this one! I want to let you know that I admire your stand and your obvious desire to urge people to at least think about some of their customs in light of Torah.
There is no doubt that Christianity falls more in line with Greek culture/thought than it does with Hebrew, and this issue is a perfect example. Evidence shows us that around 500-400BC Athenian women were rubbing pumice stones on their legs to remove the hair. In ancient Athens a man would marry (at around 30 years old) a girl at least half his age. Prior to this it was not uncommon for him to indulge in a homosexual relationship with a young boy. Wives removing the hair from their legs may well have been for the benefit of their husbands preference for pre-pubescent lovers.
Similiar customs existed in Rome, and as our modern western culture is firmly founded on Greece and Rome, it is no surprise that we find this custom too, even though the reasons for it have long been forgotten.
Personally, knowing the reasons, I would prefer not to uphold this custom, and I’m blessed that my husband feels the same way.
Be encouraged my dear young sister!
In Messiah,
Christine
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This is interesting. I would be interested in your ideas as far as shaving for one’s own personal preference and comfort goes. I shave my underarms because I find that having hair there is itchy and uncomfortable, and if there is any sweat whatsoever, I feel gross because it builds up more easily and that unpleasant smell can form, unless you pile on a ton of deodorant. If I didn’t shave, I think I would have to shower three times a day to avoid any kind of sweat whatsoever, and that would be a bit much. Shaving allows me to use less deodorant and *feel* cleaner (not really about looks, although I do like the look better as well – but I don’t think there’s necessarily anything wrong with liking the way your body looks either, so long as it doesn’t turn into a prideful obsession, etc.). And I shave my legs because I hate the feeling of hair there too – it’s annoying and just feels icky to me. I’m not really doing it to impress a guy or so that I can show off my underarms or legs (I don’t wear my sleeves very short anyway, or short shorts). I just don’t like the way it feels. That’s my personal preference, though, and I’m aware not everyone is uncomfortable with their body hair, and if they don’t mind it, then they should keep it! Nothing wrong with that. But neither do I think there is anything wrong with hair removal for one’s own personal comfort or preference. You style your hair, right? You put it up sometimes, rather than leaving it down and entirely natural the way the Father made it? I kind of think of shaving in the same way. At times it’s more comfortable to put my hair in a ponytail so that I can have it out of my face. I like to shave so that I will feel more comfortable, too. :)
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Hi Jocelyn,
I just wanted to let you know that even though I disagree with some things on here, you are always an encouragement to me to strive ever upward, and I also want you to know that I think you are very brave! =)
God bless,
Becks
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Today my skirt was a little shorter than I usually wear (I like the long, ankle length ones) and I was confronted with my hairy legs soon to be in public.
What was interesteing to me is that, for one brief moment, I wondered if I should shave, or change into a different skirt, or even pants. I did neither. I was glad my husband was out of town, because he does not like hairy legs on me (too much personal info?)but I didn’t care what the rest of the world thought about my culturally inappropriate legs .
So it was fun to read this topic here today.
Did you know that there is a growing movement among the radical women’s libber set/ mother earth environmentalists to purposely NOT shave, so as to show their masculine side? Because in this culture, it is masculine to be hairy. So for SOME, shaving IS looked on as a feminine activity – a way to set a woman apart from looking like a man. I know, I know…I read all the comments, I am just reporting what I have observed…..
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Jocelyn I have been thinking on this topic and many others that are considered hygiene and just how my body is after having 4 children and in the past couple of weeks have just been disgusted with myself and how vain I have become even to the point of considering plastic surgery. God made our bodies and made them wonderfully in His image and although child bearing has changed that body dramatically I know in my heart my husband still finds my beautiful and there is no need for plastic surgery of any kind.
I have been thinking strongly about the way I dress and strive to be more feminine and modest as a comment above stated she wears shorts and tank tops in Texas summers I to do this but feel guilt with every hour and have even been looking for more modest swim suits that I have found @ http://www.simply-modest.com/posecom/index.php
but still feel vain and reading this I realize how much money and time I waste on shaving and even wearing makeup no matter how natural the makeup is it is still of the world. I personally know my husband likes the smooth legs and really does not like it when I have not shaved so I will probably not stop shaving my legs for the sake of pleasing my husband. I do not agree with what Big Daddy said and am personally offended that someone would attack your freedom of speech like that there is somewhere in the Torah that speaks about not everyone interpreting Scriptures the same way. All we can do is strive to follow Yah and do what we are convicted of by the Scriptures. You are a blessing to me and although younger than I you truly have a deeper walk with our LORD that I strive for daily.
Thank you
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I don’t shave. I used to shave under my arms, but it caused me to get cysts because underarm hairs are there for a reason – to help facilitate the expulsion of toxins through sweat. Wearing anti-perspirant deodorant is the same – by wearing it you are blocking up the pores God put there to facilitate the elimination of those toxins too. Unfortunately sweat only became a bad thing when people started being more and more vain – people used to be more “used” to the smell of sweat. I know that seems gross, but that’s only because we are used to a fragrant world now. But GOD created us with those hairs and pores for a reason – because it is better for our bodies! When it all comes down to it, He knows what we have a need of and what we don’t, so it’s best to leave it as He created it. That’s how I look at this issue, anyway. (mind you, I don’t go around stinking just because I don’t wear anti-perspirant deodorant. There are natural ways to help that – washing with water regularly, and applying eucalyptus oil (and other natural oils) to skin or clothing helps to mask the smell just as deodorants do.)
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I read this post last week, and took it in for thought. Tonight I came back after your mom posted the link again, and I read the comments.
I always shaved. Until about 3 yrs ago when I hurt my arm. Shaving is an issue for me due to my disability. I do agree, that if you stop shaving, the hair doesn’t grow as quickly. I did shave the other day, before wearing a skirt that came just below my knee, for the first time in 3 yrs. It felt weird, and my skin was itchy all day!
I had never thought about it from Yah’s teaching, but am glad you shared this Miss Jocelyn. Thank you for being such an inspiration, and for handling those who disagree with you, with complete grace.
Shalom!
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I’m 43 and I “deal” with hair about once a year. I have only used wax since starting around 14. Because I have only ever waxed, long hair has always just been a part of the cycle for me, and as I got older, it wasn’t a priority, or a vanity, for me. I’ll wax if I’m going to a special event like a wedding, or like recently, because I’m going to camp and will be wearing shorter sleeves. True, it’s for vanity- or social conscious reasons. I think I do it so other people are not offended more for my own vanity, as I usually wear a full length beach outfit over my bathing suit so it wouldn’t show anyhow at the pool, but it will show if i’m dancing and wearing a tank top or a cap sleeve.
What I’m more concerned about say to day is chin hairs which I pluck for vanity reasons for certain!!
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Thank you for that very interesting topic, Jocelyn. It is rather funny that it is so controversial. I do shave my legs in summer (in winter I let them grow, nobody would see them anyway) and about once a month I shave under my arms. Especially under the arms is very important for me, or it was, because in my puberty, my body somehow was a little bit crazy and liked to absorb stuff nonstop and shaving definitely helped to reduce the smell.
Where I come from, women who do not shave or who do not behave as others expect are called feminists. I know that feminists do not have the best reputation here ( :-) ) but how you stand up for your way of life really resembles of the first-generation-feminists. Keep up the good work!
Hopefully this article will not change the good mood on this website, I enjoy reading all of the articles you and the other feminas write. Thank you.
Emme
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Dear Jocelyn, As always your blog posts are of great encouragement and forever enlightening. For one so young you are very wise and very knowledgeable in regards to so many things but especially to His Word.
A couple of the comments made to you on here are very harsh and definitely uncalled for but well done for your stance :)
I do shave I have to say and this is because my husband prefers me too and unfortunately as I have gotten older the hairs on my legs esp have become darker and my husband is not very happy when I go without shaving and I must admit I feel better for doing this and not in a vain way I have to say either.
I do believe shaving is a personal matter between the individual and YHWH I must admit.
Thank you as always for your excellent studies that you do – you are an extremely gifted writer for such a young woman.
Blessings and hugs
Page
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Thanks for this post, Jocelyn, and the way you have handled those who disagree with you.
You brought up some very good points, and ones similar to what my parents always used to tell us about blatant makeup. I want to look nice, and not gross people out, so I usually shave when I wear shorter skirts, but I try to wear longer skirts now, so I rarely shave. Some of my desire to shave likely does come from vanity and social acceptance. So I’m considering what you and others have said, and may have to stop shaving altogether, or at least for bad reasons I should. Trimming/shaving excessive hair might be different (to keep it tidy and sanitary) but to just fit in? That is probably not a good reason at all, and I do believe God gave us the hair for a reason.
So thanks for (again) making me think of things in a more biblical fashion!
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Very interesting article indeed!
Even though we sometimes get caught up in the smallest things, those small things need to be brought out some time or another… to make people think.
It is a good thing to challenge, just as long as we do not look down on those who do not see things the same way as us. Not saying that anyone here is doing that, but i know from personal experience that it does happen. It creeps in without us noticing.
I would love to see an article on here for makeup sometime.
Blessings,
Janie
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Wow! This is a divisive topic! I was raised in a family where “worldly” beauty is very very important. I don’t feel that way. (Amazingly enough, though, I am all about aesthetics–I love beautiful things and places and clothing etc. I just don’t think that it needs to be profane in order to be beautiful.)
For myself, I’m not at the point that I can I focus on the little things (besides head covering)–I’m still struggling with some major big things–but I rarely shave my legs. If I’m going to be wearing something short (on rare occassions) I do go ahead and shave them to “fit in”. I’ve also noticed that I touch my legs more when I do where something short and I would rather touch smooth ones. I’ve shaved more often in order to please my significant other (we have one more issue to work out before marriage is an option–and I admit, we’re not always as Godly as we need to be-but I’m also certain that if we can get past this hurdle, marriage is on the horizon) and will probably do so after marriage, but right now I can go weeks/months without it.
Shaving under my arms is a different story. I sweat a lot, and since I don’t wear antiperspirant (I’ve alternated between baking soda and Toms of Maine), it’s a good deal of sweat. I’m working on the diet, but I just feel cleaner and more comfortable in the heat without the hair there. (Although, on point of vanity-there is a difference between bad body odor and just a regular body musk. It’s erking that society won’t accept the musk but views it as part of bad b.o. My mother sometimes gives flak over this.)
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I never even thought about hair removal as another area that we can evaluate/dedicate to God’s way and not the world’s until this article. I’ll definitely be praying about this!
Currently, I do shave my legs and underarms, though only once a week (usually two or three times a week in summer – it just feels much cooler and cleaner). No-one sees my underarms or my legs, but I still do it anyway as a matter of personal comfort. I also see it as more feminine to be less hairy – in this culture at least. But like I said, I’ll definitely pray about this because I want to please the Lord in EVERY area of my life, not just in the biggest, most obvious ways.
Thank you so much for writing! May the Lord bless you for being so bold and brave with your ‘extreme’ (by our culture’s standards) beliefs!
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I’ve been lurking, on and off, for a few weeks contemplating modest dress, what Christ desires for me personally in the area and whether the sacrifice (buying a new wardrobe, encountering ridicule among my family and friends, answering questions, making my husband wonder! LOL) is worth the decision.
Anyway, I’m still praying and seeking, but for now I continue to wear pants, tank tops and shorts (thought never more than an inch above my knee).
I wanted to comment that I’ve been really impressed that all of you have managed to keep this blog for the purpose of encouraging godly women to pursue excellence and set themselves apart from the world without coming across as harsh and judgmental. Too many times I’ve encountered abrasive “Christian” women that made it a point to say exactly why they were right and everyone else was wrong and came across as incredibly narrow-minded, haughty and proud.
I don’t think it’s vain to wear a bit of makeup, put thought into style and fashion or shave…but I can certainly appreciate your thoughts on those issues and I want to tell you that, even though I am not fully convinced I need to follow this line of thinking on clothing and beauty, if I were to ever do so I hope I would be as gracious as you have been in portraying your thoughts.
BTW, my husband would absolutely have a fit if I stopped shaving my legs. ;)
Also, I am Italian and I have a bit of a mustache… NOTHING will convince me that I should stop waxing it.
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That is very though provoking! My mother has not allowed any of my sisters or me to shave yet until a certain age. I see what you mean! Thanks for the article! :)
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