Kippot

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Kippot

The most commonly known and recognized piece of Jewish garb is actually the one with the least religious significance. The word yarmulke (usually, but not really correctly, pronounced yammica) is Yiddish. According to Leo Rosten's The Joys of Yiddish, it comes from a Tartar word meaning skullcap. According to some Orthodox and Chasidic rabbis I know, it comes from the Aramaic words "yerai malka" (fear of or respect for The King). The Hebrew word for this head covering is kippah (pronounced key-pah).

It is an ancient practice for Jews to cover their heads during prayer. This probably derives from the fact that in Eastern cultures, it is a sign of respect to cover the head (the custom in Western cultures is the opposite: it is a sign of respect to remove one's hat). Thus, by covering the head during prayer, one showed respect for G-d. In addition, in ancient Rome, servants were required to cover their heads while free men did not; thus, Jews covered their heads to show that they were servants of G-d. In medieval times, Jews covered their heads as a reminder that G-d is always above them. Whatever the reason given, however, covering the head has always been regarded more as a custom rather than a commandment.

There is no special significance to the yarmulke as a specific type of head covering. Its light weight, compactness and discreteness make it a convenient choice of head gear. I am unaware of any connection between the yarmulke and the similar skullcap worn by the Pope.

[Maccabi]

yeah the kippot thing is interesting.

I don't particularly like the way they look, though I occasionally wear one when walking back from Shabbos meals. Eh, they're ok.

I like them on other people and I like seeing other Jewish people wear them around town because it shows they are proud Jews, but as a style, I'm not particularly fond of them.

Actually, I'm not to into the whole Chassidic style either. Again I like it on the rabbis but I probably wouldn't wear it.

Do you think King David ever wore a kippot?
Do you think he wore Tzitzit?
Somehow I can't picture a Hebrew warlord in Chassidic garb or kippot but maybe they wore tzitzit.

[Eliezer Ben Avraham]

I think Rav Kahane said that putting on a kippah is a way for a Jew to distinguish himself from a Gentile and recognize his Jewishness by doing so

[Dominater96]

I wear a Black Srugah. Just like Rabbi Kahane.

[Yisrael ben Avraham]

yeah the kippot thing is interesting.

I don't particularly like the way they look, though I occasionally wear one when walking back from Shabbos meals. Eh, they're ok.

I like them on other people and I like seeing other Jewish people wear them around town because it shows they are proud Jews, but as a style, I'm not particularly fond of them.

Actually, I'm not to into the whole Chassidic style either. Again I like it on the rabbis but I probably wouldn't wear it.

Do you think King David ever wore a kippot?
Do you think he wore Tzitzit?
Somehow I can't picture a Hebrew warlord in Chassidic garb or kippot but maybe they wore tzitzit.

Well, you know there are so many different styles of kippot. I personally wear a knitted kippah, a big one. Kind of like the ones the judean and samarian settlers wear.

[Tzvi Ben Roshel1]

King David not wearing Tzitzit? - His wife criticized him becuase when he was Dancing (for Hashe-m even), a little skin of his body (legs and hands) were showing, she concidered it as something that can lead to less Kavod to the Kingship. - this just shows that King David wore a lot of clothing.

[Dominater96]

yeah the kippot thing is interesting.

I don't particularly like the way they look, though I occasionally wear one when walking back from Shabbos meals. Eh, they're ok.

I like them on other people and I like seeing other Jewish people wear them around town because it shows they are proud Jews, but as a style, I'm not particularly fond of them.

Actually, I'm not to into the whole Chassidic style either. Again I like it on the rabbis but I probably wouldn't wear it.

Do you think King David ever wore a kippot?
Do you think he wore Tzitzit?
Somehow I can't picture a Hebrew warlord in Chassidic garb or kippot but maybe they wore tzitzit.

Well, you know there are so many different styles of kippot. I personally wear a knitted kippah, a big one. Kind of like the ones the judean and samarian settlers wear.

I have a big Breslov one that I wear on Purim. I always wanted to get a big settler type kippah, but I am not going to be in Israel till next year, so wont b able to get one. Does any1 know if they are available anywhere in America, or on the internet?

[judeanoncapta]

Originally Jews wore Turbans, not Kippoth.

[jdl4ever]

King David not wearing Tzitzit? - His wife criticized him becuase when he was Dancing (for Hashem even), a little skin of his body (legs and hands) were showing, she concidered it as something that can lead to less Kavod to the Kingship. - this just shows that King David wore a lot of clothing.

You are wrong, it never says anywhere in the Torah that.  It simply said that he was dancing in front of the Aron and she didn't think it was befitting for a King to do that.  The simple meaning of the Torah is that the reason was because she didn't think it looked good to dance like a wild animal in front of the Ark.  King David told her that it's a great thing to dance in front of Hashem with great happiness.

[OdKahaneChai]

Originally Jews wore Turbans, not Kippoth.

Ok, so you go ahead and wear a turban.  But people will just think you're some sort of weird convert to Hinduism...   

[Tzvi Ben Roshel1]

Look at the picture on the left , of the Ben Ish Chai with a turban. It looks sick.
Or this picture here where its bigger. http://www.yarzheit.com/heavensregister/benishchai.htm

[Raulmarrio2000]

Kipot (or any other cover) should be worn at all times by Jews since it's has been sanctioned by Shulchan Aruch.( A Jew must not walk 4 amot with bare head). A Gentile is encouraged to cover his head also, but he must not use a kipah (except when visiting a synagogue or if invited to a religious meal).The reason is that a Gentile must avoid be mistaken for a Jew, since Gentiles do not do all the Jewish mitzvot, and people may mistake a Goy for a Jew breaking a Jewish mitzvah. What about a Gentile wearing a kipah and sitting in a Treif restaurant!!!! People may think he is a Jew eating treif!

[Eliezer Ben Avraham]

does any head covering count or does it have to be a kippah? do the black-hatters wear kippot underneath
?

[Nolandforshalom]

I wear a Black Srugah. Just like Rabbi Kahane.

As do I. I wear a Talit Katan 90% of the time I am not at school, and where a Talis where praying. I where my Knitted Kippa whenever I am outside of school. The Black Srugah Kippot are becoming more popular, because of thier connection with the settlers. Yet another reason to wear one.

[judeanoncapta]

Originally Jews wore Turbans, not Kippoth.

Ok, so you go ahead and wear a turban.  But people will just think you're some sort of weird convert to Hinduism...   

Plenty of Jews in Israel especially settler types have begun wearing turbans.

Don't make fun.

[Nolandforshalom]

I think as a people we should stick to Kippot..dont wanna confuse the jets where to drop the bombs ;

[judeanoncapta]

I think as a people we should stick to Kippot..dont wanna confuse the jets where to drop the bombs ;

Jewish Turbans look very different from Islamic ones.

Take a look at the wall carving of the fall of Lachish and you will see the Israelite Turbans are quite distinguishable from Arab Turbans.

[Nolandforshalom]

True. I was imagining a tall, wound turban; that is clearly of a different style.

[Dexter]

judeanoncapta -
That's a helmet.

Nolandforshalom -
That's the Turkish and the morrocon Turban.

[judeanoncapta]

judeanoncapta -
That's a helmet.

I guess it was their version but there is clearly a wound cloth around the head which qualifies it as a turban.

[Dexter]

judeanoncapta -
That's a helmet.

I guess it was their version but there is clearly a wound cloth around the head which qualifies it as a turban.

The Jews didn't wear a Kippa until the Talmud days, at least it's the first time a head cover is reminded in the Jewish tradion and any Jewish text. The cloth around the head hold the helmet with the head, it's very clear.

[judeanoncapta]

judeanoncapta -
That's a helmet.

I guess it was their version but there is clearly a wound cloth around the head which qualifies it as a turban.

The Jews didn't wear a Kippa until the Talmud days, at least it's the first time a head cover is reminded in the Jewish tradion and any Jewish text. The cloth around the head hold the helmet with the head, it's very clear.

Ok, but a turban is defined as  a head coving of wrapped cloth either around another head covering like a tarboosh or in this case a helmet or on it's own.

So what this Israelite soldier is wearing clearly qualifies as a turban.

[Yisrael ben Avraham]

Can anyone provide a picture of a Black Srugah Kippah?

[OdKahaneChai]

Can anyone provide a picture of a Black Srugah Kippah?

[Yisrael ben Avraham]

Toda Rabah! I have a similar one, but it's a lot bigger and made up of a pattern of black and white.

Why is a plain black knitted kippah special? I can't recall having seen many settlers with them, they usually go for the larger kippot.