The beard
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(Lev. 13:29, 30) — the Jews paid no small attention to the beard (Ps. 132 [133]:2). It was considered a great insult if someone, in anger or to express contempt for a certain person, plucked at his beard, or took hold of it, whereas kissing the beard served as a special sign of respect and friendship. The plucking out of hairs from the beard, or its complete shaving off, and neglect of its cleanliness and proper appearance, served as a sign of deep grief (Ezra 9:3; Ps. 15 [?]:2; Jer. 41:5; 48:37).
The Arabs, even to the present day, show great care for the beard. They swear solemnly by it, and to express the very best wishes to a guest or friend, they usually say: “May Allah preserve thy beard!” It is told that a certain Arab, wounded in the lower jaw, resolved to risk his life rather than allow his beard to be shaved off so that a physician could examine the wound. A gray beard is still to this day considered among the inhabitants of the East a symbol of wisdom, as well as a measure of advanced years and venerable old age.