Kippah

Kippah

A yarmulke in Yiddish, or a kippah in Hebrew, is a small head covering. Kippah literally means covering. Professor Jacob Lauterbach has been quoted as saying that the question of praying bareheaded or with covered head is not at all a question of law. It is merely a matter of social propriety and decorum.

In trying to find a reason for the head covering some have speculated that since the prayer shawl covers the head during prayer the reasoning developed that it would be good to cover the head all the time.

Another suggested explanation is that the tradition of wearing a head covering could have come from the fact that the sun is so strong in the Middle East that a head covering was needed. In some countries hats have been a fashionable symbol of respect and reverence, so it could have been a status symbol established during the time Jewish people were dispersed among the nations.

It could also be a carryover from when the Levites and Cohanim were commanded to wear a head covering when ministering in the Temple (Exodus 29:6). Or it could have stemmed from a desire to demonstrate humility before God. Other than for the Levites ministering in the Temple, nowhere in the Bible are we told that all people or even all males need to have their heads covered at all times.

Originally from:  Jewish Discoveries by Jeff Zaremsky, page 288, which contains a total of 22 fascinating chapters of biblical history and lessons plus 25 rich Jewish tradition sections, and 27 powerful testimonies, with over 40 beautifully rendered professional works of art all on over 300 jam packed pages.  You can own this treasure by visiting www.Jewishheritage.net

 

 

 

Related Articles

More From Traditions

What is a Get?

A get is a divorce under halacha, or Jewish law. The word can also refer to the document that…
What is a Get?

Archie Bunker Does Shabbat

Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton as Archie and Edith Bunker from All in the Family sit down…
Archie Bunker Does Shabbat

Yiddish Part One

The Yiddish language is a western Germanic oral and written dialect used by the Ashkenazi Jews…
Yiddish Part One

Shabbat Candles

One of the most well known Jewish customs connected with the observance of Shabbat (the…
Shabbat Candles

Yiddish Part Two

Prior to the Holocaust, Yiddish, a language more resembling Middle High German than anything…
Yiddish Part Two
Mezuzah on the Doorpost

Mezuzah on the Doorpost

If you visit a Jewish home one thing that you may see is a mezuzah. A mezuzah is a small…
Mezuzah on the Doorpost

Shofar

The shofar, made from a ram's horn, has been used by our people for thousands of years. The…
Shofar
Photo: Front of a Kosher Market on a Street Corner

Mixing Matters

"...You shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk" (Deuteronomy 14:21). Many take this…
Mixing Matters
The Cantor

The Cantor

Music is very important in Jewish life and has a significant role in the worship services.…
The Cantor

Shema

"Shema Yisrael, Adonai Elohenu, Adonai Echad." These wordsare the first words in every mezuzah.…
Shema
The Chuppah

The Chuppah

In the Song of Solomon we read “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me…
The Chuppah

Publish the Menu module to "offcanvas" position. Here you can publish other modules as well.
Learn More.


donation