The Zoo

Headcovering

This will be a Cliffs Notes version.

First, I’ll start with why Jewish men cover their heads.   Observant Jewish men wear kippah (meaning “dome”, a yarmulke, which means “awe of the king”) or a hat. Just about any type of head covering is acceptable. They wear them to be reminded that there is a power higher than they are.   Wearing kippot is a mostly recent tradition (within the last few hundred years). Actually, in the Torah only Kohanim, while in the Temple, were required to cover their heads.  Covering the head during prayer was done with the tallit (prayer shawl) not a kippah.

Observant, married, Jewish women cover their hair, not their head.  Unlike men, women don’t need to cover their head to be reminded of G-d, because women have a greater spiritual awareness.  Women cover their hair for modesty.  The hair is a sensual and alluring feature that, like some other parts of the body, should be covered so as not to draw unwanted sexual attention.  A married woman’s hair is only for her husband to see.

There is no commandment requiring women to cover their hair. In Numbers 5:18, when an adulteress is set before G-d, the priest uncovers her hair first. So we assume that a married woman’s hair is to normally be covered. This is the only Torah reference to women covering their hair.

Some Jewish women use a sheitel (a wig) to cover their hair.  Most wear a tiechel (scarf), a snood or other item that covers her hair completely.  Some women just wear a hat or small scarf or bandana, but unless it covers all her hair, it defeats the purpose of wearing a covering.

Less observant Jewish women usually don’t cover their head and rarely their hair.  Many do, however, wear a head covering in Synagogue.  Some Reform Jewish men don’t even wear kippot in Synagogue.

This was a very simplistic description of why.  There’s so much more to Jewish laws on this.

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{ 11:09, Wednesday 9 August 2006 } { Posted by thatday }

Thank you so much for this explanation. I don't wear a covering but I have seen some of the women on this blog talking about them.
Barb

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{ 12:24, Thursday 10 August 2006 } { Posted by GrandmaRosie }

Thanks for this post. I am always interested in learning about the Jewish traditions. ^..^

Laws

{ 05:17, Thursday 10 August 2006 } { Posted by gokings13 }

Aren't these *just* Jewish laws? I don't think they are Biblical as much as they are man made laws......
I have a friend who lives in Israel. I will forward this blog too her!
Laura

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{ 05:42, Thursday 17 August 2006 } { Posted by happymama }

Thankyou for posting that, I have often times wondered, but never thought to ask!
Blessings, Rossie