Ranked repeatedly as one of the world’s “hottest” women, Bar Refaeli appears nude on the cover of the July edition of Esquire. Pictures from the shoot can be seen here. But before you head there, consider the following:
The pictures appeal with the word “morality” scrawled across Refaeli’s body. Does this suggest that there is a real debate about the morality of her appearance? Is there?
Does the fact that she is both Jewish and Israeli make a diffrence in how any of us views this? Is she a source of Jewish pride? Jewish shame?
Is Refaeli’s Esquire cover not a fulfillment of David Ben-Gurion’s dream that Jews would one day be normal i.e. be capable of expressing ourselves, for better or worse, just like everyone else in the world?
If that is true, could this be a moment of Jewish sucess?
At the very least, we should pay attention to one of the captions which accompany the photos from an earlier spread in Maxim:
“If there’s any evidence that the Middle East is a land of beauty and wonder - not just unending turbulence – Bar is it.”
What can any of us do, especially if we are not exactly cut out for beauty shots, to remind ourselves, each other and the world, that the Middle East in general, and Israel in particular, are more than battle grounds — they are beautiful, wonderful places rich in human, natural and cultural resources valuable to all?
Author, radio and TV talk show host, and President of CLAL-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, Brad Hirschfield is the author of 
posted June 2, 2009 at 9:30 pm
There is no shortage of nudity on Israeli beaches. What that says other than that all Israelis are not Orthodox I do not know.
posted June 3, 2009 at 5:31 am
“The pictures appeal with the word “morality” scrawled across Refaeli’s body. Does this suggest that there is a real debate about the morality of her appearance?”
Not really. “Morality” appears to be the name of a Stephen King story that is printed inside the magazine. They are using her body as a backdrop to promote the story. You DID actually look at the pics, right?
As “nude” goes, quite tame, really. Reminded me about that Japanese movie “The Pillow Book”.
posted June 3, 2009 at 11:50 am
It must be a slow day for the Rabbi….LOL
posted June 3, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Really?
posted June 3, 2009 at 5:31 pm
LOL…BEAUTY LIES ON THE EYES BEHOLDER.ON MORALITY ISSUE,I THINK TO POSE NUDE IS A DISPLAY OF ART,TO SHOW THE BEAUTY OF THE OUTSIDE PHYSICAL BODY OF ANY MODEL.AND THE WORD “MORALITY “WRITTEN ALL OVER HER BODY IS HER INSIDE BEAUTY TO LOOK BY OPENING OUR SPIRITUAL EYES,THAT SHE POSE MAINLY FOR THOSE PURPOSE,TO SHOW THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE BEAUTY OF A WOMAN,BESIDES,THE MODEL HERSELF HAS IDENTITY,
SHE CAME FROM A CHOSEN RACE OUT OF THE WORLD BY GOD,ANYONE WHO LOOKS
AT A BODY LUSTFULLY COMMITS ADULTERY,THE BIBLE SAYS.SO,IN EVALUATING THE NUDE JEWISH MODEL,LET NO MAN LUST ON BEAUTY ALONE,LOOK INSIDE BY
USING OUR HEART,BECAUSE ONLY BY USING OUR HEART CAN WE APPRECIATE
THE TRUE BEAUTY.GOD BLESS THE JEWISH MODEL…AND FORGIVE
THE LUSTFUL EYES OF ANYONE WHO SEES HER AS SUCH.THANK YOU.
posted June 14, 2009 at 1:44 pm
What a shame
Today, she is pretty and
everyone wants to look at her
and listen to her.
But, soon the day will come and
she will grow old and the world
will not look at her anymore nor
will they be interested in what
she has to say.
God will not be mocked
The God of the Jewish people is ashamed of her.
He is the God of Abraham and Issac and Jacob.
She will one day before long answer for her
lewdness and disgrace to His people.
posted July 17, 2009 at 8:11 pm
no comment
posted July 17, 2009 at 8:12 pm
nocomment
posted October 4, 2009 at 4:54 am
Yes Bar is terrific and should be on a lot of covers all over the world !