“Then Job arose, tore his robes, and shaved his head…” (Job 1:21)

“Then Job arose, tore his robes, and shaved his head…” (Job 1:21)

Tearing one’s clothing as an outward expression of mourning, grief, and lose is an ancient tradition among the Jews and is still practiced to this day (called “keriah”). It was a powerful public act and is first mentioned in Genesis 37:29 when Reuben tore his garments, and then a short time later when Jacob thought that Joseph had been killed (Gen. 37:34).

King David tore his robes to express pain and sorrow when Saul and Jonathan were killed (2 Sam. 1:11-12); Elisha did so when Elijah was taken up into heaven (2 Kings 2:11-12); Jephthah, when he learned the result of his rash vow (Judges 11:34-35); Mordecai, when he learned of Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews (Esther 4:1); Ahab, did so when Elijah pronounced judgement against him (1 Kings 21:27); and Paul and Barnabas, when the people of Lystra began to worship them (Acts 14:14). The High Priest, Caiaphas, also rent his robes when he thought Christ was speaking blasphemy (Mark 14:53).

Sometimes the tearing of one’s clothing was also accompanied by other signs of humility and grief, such as shaving one’s head, wearing sackcloth (2 Sam. 3:31) or sitting upon ashes and throwing dust over yourself (Job 2:12).

Although this act was meant to be an act of contrition, God instructed us through the Prophet Joel, that it is better to “rend your heart and not your garments” (Joel 2:13).

Fr. John