JTF.ORG Forum
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: MasterWolf1 on September 16, 2007, 06:53:51 PM
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Since I am not 100 percent familiar with the Jewish customs. I was near Jewel Avenue and noticed some Jewish men wearing a Yamacha and some didn't. Is there anything about that as it being a sin? Cause as a Catholic it is good to wear a cross for example but it is not manditory. Just a question.
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Yeah, as an Jew not educated in Judaism, I'm curious too. So, what's the dealio? :)
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were they wearing a hat instead?
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My opinion is the following: It is not a sin to not wear a Yamulka nor do you fulfill any Biblical or Rabbinic commandment for wearing one. It is an old Jewish custom to wear one. In fact Moses didn't wear one. The Yamulka originated I think some time during the second temple era as a Jewish custom and is brought down in Judaism as a custom that should be followed (interestingly enough the Shulchan Aruch or Jewish code of law says that it's forbidden to walk a few feet w/o wearing one so perhaps he thinks that it is a Rabbinic decree, but I personally strongly disagree with this and can't find an older source that says it is anything more than a custom). The reason for wearing the Yamulka on our heads is to remind us that G-d is watching over us so we should always fear heaven and act appropriately. Another reason is to distinguish ourselves as Jews in public so as to sanctify G-d's name when we act according to the Bible and do good deeds so the non-Jews will admire us and sanctify G-d's name.
I, my father and my father's father did not wear the Yalmuka to work in a mostly Gentile workplace for various reasons, mostly because of anti semitism or if it will hinder your job performance. I wear it outside of work and when I work in a Jewish area. Anything that covers the head may be used so a hat is also fine. I wear a baseball hat in a bad neighborhood.
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recently in a Lecture by Rabbi Zamir Kohen- I heard him say that wearing a Kippa is making a sign of loyalty to the King (G-d) at a time that many in society are against G-d. By wearing a kippa its like during a revolt a groupd of people put on special garments (or something on their garments) that says and shows that he is loyal to the King, even though their are many other people who are loyal to the king and when the rebellion would be over they will be rewarded, still those who make a public display and a sign showing their loyalty at a time of the rebellion would be higher positioned and loved more by the king.
After listining to that I try more to wear a kippa in public (I allways do at home) and not just a hat of which I have in the past wore allmost everyday.
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No they weren't wearing a black hat either but they had the strings coming off their shirts ( I wouldn't know what those strings are or they mean ) I know I am still learning the customs and what they mean. But hey, I am willing to know, learn and respect the aspects of the belief. For example I myself I do carry a rosary in my pocket but that is not really a mandiotry thing it is more of if you want to.
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I wasnt referring to a black hat, I mean any hat, like a cap.
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The Gemara Kedushin explains that it was the custom of the Chasidim(at the time it meant the pious) to not walk four Amot with their heads uncovered, it has gradually become a Jewish minhag for men to constantly wear the Kippa to show their acceptance of Hashem's sovreignty
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I wasnt referring to a black hat, I mean any hat, like a cap.
No, not hat of any sort at all maybe a very few had a baseball cap on so I couldn't tell. But a few had the Yamacha and some no cap or hat what so ever. So was wondering is there like a level in beliefs whether or not wearing one.
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I wasnt referring to a black hat, I mean any hat, like a cap.
No, not hat of any sort at all maybe a very few had a baseball cap on so I couldn't tell. But a few had the Yamacha and some no cap or hat what so ever. So was wondering is there like a level in beliefs whether or not wearing one.
Not everyone their is religious.