Simeon the pious said: I have never in all my life met a more genuine nazirite – one who was more sincere in his motives – than a certain young man.

One day a fine, handsome young man came into the land of the South. He had a handsome countenance, beautiful eyes and golden hair hanging down in wavy locks. One day he had his hair cut off, which changed his appearance so much that he no longer looked the same lad. So I said to the boy: "My son, why did you have your hair cut off? What made you do it?"

And the lad replied: "I will tell you. I tended my father's flocks, and once I led the sheep to the well and, looking into the water; I saw the reflection of my face. Then I thought: 'What a fine young man I am, I will follow my own pleasures, being so handsome.' Then I bethought myself, 'What a great sin it is to bear oneself so proudly and allow oneself to be led astray by the Yezer ha-Ra' (evil inclination).' And I said to the Yezer ha-Ra': 'You wicked one, you are trying to make me sin, but I will not obey you. You are eager to lure me on so that I should lose my portion in the world to come,

though man is only dust and the prey of worms. Therefore I have sworn by God that I would have my locks shorn, so that you may not be able to seduce me. For after that I am sure to lose my comeliness, and if a man is not handsome, the Yezer ha-Ra' does not lead him astray'. "

When I had heard the lad's story, I rose from my seat and kissed him on the forehead, and said, "My son, may nazirites like you multiply in Israel; for you have taken the vow for the sake of Heaven and not from pride."

Unfortunately we often find many people in our time, who do it for the sake of appearance rather than for the sake of Heaven.