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Encyclopedia > Yarmulkes
This article is part of the
Headgear series:
Overview of headgear
Hats; Bonnets; Caps
Hoods; Helmets; Wigs
Masks; Veils; Scarves
Tiaras; Papal tiaras
Turbans
Crowns
List of hats and headgear

A kippah (Hebrew: כִּפָּה, also kipah, kipa, kippa, plural kippot; Yiddish: יאַרמלקע, yarmlke, yarmulke, yarmulka, yarmelke, less commonly called kapel; English: skullcap, cap of maintenance) is a thin, usually slightly-rounded cloth cap worn by observant Jews (usually men, but not always; see below). Kipot range in size from 4 inches in diameter to 9.5 inches (100 mm to 240 mm) or larger. Headgear, headwear or headdress is the name given to any element of clothing which is worn on ones head. ... There are many different styles of hats A hat is an item of clothing which is worn on the head – a kind of headgear. ... A bonnet is a kind of headgear which is usually brimless. ... A cap is a form of headgear. ... A hood is a kind of headgear. ... Pith helmet of Harry S. Truman For information about the band Helmet, see Helmet (band) Pickelhaube of a Swedish Royal Guard soldier A helmet (a 15th century loan from Middle French, a diminutive of Frankish helm, from Proto-Germanic *khelmaz, PIE *kelmo- a cover) is a form of protective clothing... WIG, originally an acronym for Warszawski Indeks GieÅ‚dowy (Warsaw Stock Exchange Index) is the oldest index for the Warsaw Stock Exchange. ... Masks in a Guatemalan Market A teenager reading a book, while wearing a dinosaur mask A mask is a piece of material or kit worn on the face. ... Frances Perkins wearing a veil after the death of president Roosevelt Veils are articles of clothing, worn almost exclusively by women, which cover some part of the head or face. ... A Scarf joint is a means of joining usually wood, sometimes metal, end to end. ... Beauty pageant tiara A tiara (from Persian تاره tara borrowed by Latin as tiara) is a form of crown. ... The Papal Tiara, also known as the Triple Tiara, in Latin as the Triregnum, or in Italian as the Triregno, is the three-tiered jewelled papal crown of Byzantine and Persian origin that is the symbol of the papacy. ... The turban (Arabic: , ‘imāmä; Turkish: tülbent; Persian: دلبنت, dulband) is a headdress, of Asian origin, consisting of a long scarf wound round the head or an inner hat. ... Crown (headgear) - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... This is an incomplete list of hats and headgear (that is, anything worn on the head), both modern and historical. ... Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afro-Asiatic language family spoken by more than 6 million people, mainly in Israel, the West Bank, the United States and by Jewish communities around the world. ... Yiddish (Yid. ... A variety of fabric. ... A cap is a form of headgear. ...

Contents


Traditions

Traditionally the kippah was worn only by men (women covered their heads more completely with scarves, hats, or wigs), but in modern times the push for equality between the sexes in the practice of Judaism has led some non-Orthodox women to also wear kippot. Some Jews wear kippot only while praying, making blessings, or studying Jewish religious texts; more traditional Jews wear kippot the entire day, making sure not to walk more than four cubits (about 2 metres) without a head covering, especially outside. A Scarf joint is a means of joining usually wood, sometimes metal, end to end. ... There are many different styles of hats A hat is an item of clothing which is worn on the head – a kind of headgear. ... WIG, originally an acronym for Warszawski Indeks Giełdowy (Warsaw Stock Exchange Index) is the oldest index for the Warsaw Stock Exchange. ... // Judaism is the religion of the Jewish people. ... Orthodox Judaism is the stream of Judaism which adheres to a relatively strict interpretation and application of the laws and ethics first canonized in the Talmud (The Oral Law) and later codified in the Shulkhan Arukh (Code of Jewish Law). It is governed by these works and the Rabbinical commentary... Jewish services are the prayers recited as part of observance of Judaism. ... Cubit is the name for any one of many units of measure used by various ancient peoples, based on the distance between the tip of the middle finger and the elbow on an average person or a similar forearm-based measurement. ...

Typical white "Na Nacher" style Breslov yarmulke. Made in Jerusalem 2005
Enlarge
Typical white "Na Nacher" style Breslov yarmulke. Made in Jerusalem 2005

Any head covering is acceptable according to Jewish law; a kippah is simply a convenient alternative due to its compactness and low weight, though it has been identified as a symbol of Jewishness in the last century. The kippah is also more socially acceptable in indoor places where gentiles normally remove their hats, such as schools, office buildings, courtrooms, etc. ImageMetadata File history File links Na-nach-nachma-yarmulke. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Na-nach-nachma-yarmulke. ... Halakha (Hebrew: הלכה; also transliterated as Halakhah, Halacha, Halachah) is the collective corpus of Jewish rabbinic law, custom and tradition. ...


Often, the color and fabric of the kippah can be a sign of adherence to a specific religious movement. The Israeli Religious Zionist community is often referred to by the name kippot srugot (Hebrew כיפות סרוגות), literally "knitted kippot," though they are typically crocheted. Similarly, some Haredi sects are referred to by the name kipot shkhorot (Hebrew כיפות שחורות), literally "black kippot". Kippot shkhorot are usually sewn of black fabric and often made larger than kippot srugot, particularly those worn outside Israel. More recently, kippot in the colours of a sports team supported by the wearer, especially football, have been observed. In the United States, children's kippot with cartoon characters or themes such as Star Wars are popular. (In response to this trend, some Jewish schools have banned kippot with characters that do not conform to traditional Jewish values.) Some Breslov Hasidim, most notably the followers of the late Rabbi Yisroel Ber Odesser, wear a large white knitted yarmulke with the Na Nach Nachma mantra on it. Kippot Sruggot: Modern Orthodox Jewish students carry the flag of Israel at a public parade in Manhattan, NY, USA The Religious Zionist Movement, or Religious Zionism, also called Mizrachi, is an ideology combining Zionism and Judaism, which offers Zionism based on the principles of Jewish religion and heritage. ... Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afro-Asiatic language family spoken by more than 6 million people, mainly in Israel, the West Bank, the United States and by Jewish communities around the world. ... Knit hat, yarn, and knitting needles A woman knitting at a coffee shop Knitting is one of several ways to turn thread or yarn into cloth (cf weaving, crochet). ... The word crochet is derived from the Middle French word croc or croche, meaning It describes the process of creating fabric from a length of cord, yarn, or thread with a Crochet hook. ... Haredi Judaism, also called ultra-Orthodox Judaism, is the most theologically conservative form of Judaism. ... Football is the name given to a number of different team sports. ... Star Wars began with a 13-page treatment for a space adventure movie which George Lucas drafted in 1973, inspired from multiple myths and classic stories. ... The Breslov movement of Hasidic Judaism was founded by Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810), who was the great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism. ... Rabbi Yisroel Odesser; a respected leader (but not the rebbe) of the Breslover Hasidim. ... Knit hat, yarn, and knitting needles A woman knitting at a coffee shop Knitting is one of several ways to turn thread or yarn into cloth (cf weaving, crochet). ... Na Nach Nachma is a Hebrew language mantra used by some sub-groups of the Breslov group of Hasidic Jews. ...


Etymology

Kippot on sale in Jerusalem, June 2004
Kippot on sale in Jerusalem, June 2004

In Hebrew, the word kippah means dome, but the etymology of yarmulke is not clear. Some linguists (e.g. Max Vasmer) maintain that the Yiddish word is derived (via Ukrainian or Polish) from the Turkic yağmurluk, meaning 'rainwear'. Other linguists (e.g. Herbert Zeiden) regard this hypothesis as untenable but still believe a Turkic origin is likely, suggesting that the first part of the word may come from yarim, a Turkic adjective meaning 'half', while the second part may come from qap, a Turkic word for 'cap', 'shell', 'enclosure', or 'container'. Kippot on sale in the Jerusalem shuq, June 2004. ... Kippot on sale in the Jerusalem shuq, June 2004. ... Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afro-Asiatic language family spoken by more than 6 million people, mainly in Israel, the West Bank, the United States and by Jewish communities around the world. ... St Peters Basilica, Rome A dome is a common structural element of architecture that resembles the hollow upper half of a sphere. ... Max Vasmer (1886 – 1962), German linguist. ... Yiddish (ייִדיש, Jiddisch) is a Germanic language spoken by about four million Jews throughout the world. ... The Turkic languages are a group of related languages that are spoken by a variety of peoples distributed across a vast area from Eastern Europe to Siberia and Western China with estimated 100-130 million native speakers. ...


Traditionally, yarmulke is considered to have originated from the Aramaic phrase "yarei mei-elokah" (in awe of the Lord), or perhaps, "yira malkah" (fear of the King), in keeping with the principle that the yarmulke is supposed to reflect someone's fear of heaven. Aramaic is a Semitic language with a four-thousand year history. ...


Purpose

Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik (1903-1993) of Yeshiva University (N.Y., USA) wearing a typical black cloth kippah on his head
Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik (1903-1993) of Yeshiva University (N.Y., USA) wearing a typical black cloth kippah on his head

The sources for wearing a kippah are found in the Talmud. In tractate Shabbat 156b it states Cover your head in order that the fear of heaven may be upon you. As well, in tractate Kiddushin 32a it states Rabbi Huna the son of Rabbi Joshua never walked 4 cubits (2 meters) with his head uncovered. He explained: "Because the Divine Presence (Shekhina) is always over my head." While there is a minority opinion that wearing a kippah is a Torah commandment, most halakhic decisors agree that it is merely a custom. The prevailing view among Rabbinical authorities is that this custom has taken on the force of law (Shulkhan Arukh, Orach Chayim 2:6). From a strictly talmudic point of view, however, the only moment when a Jewish man is required to cover his head is during prayer (Mishne Torah, Ahavah, Hilkhot Tefilah 5:5). Image File history File links Rav_Sloveitchik. ... Image File history File links Rav_Sloveitchik. ... Rabbi (Classical Hebrew רִבִּי ribbÄ«;; modern Ashkenazi and Israeli רַבִּי rabbÄ«) in Judaism, means teacher, or more literally great one. The word Rabbi is derived from the Hebrew root-word RaV, which in biblical Hebrew means great or distinguished, (in knowledge). In the ancient Judean schools the sages were addressed as רִבִּי (Ribbi... Joseph Ber (Yosef Dov) Soloveitchik (1903-1993) was an Orthodox rabbi, Talmudist and modern Jewish philosopher. ... Yeshiva University Yeshiva University is a private Jewish university in New York City whose first component was founded in 1886. ... The Talmud (תלמוד) is a record of rabbinic discussions on Jewish law, Jewish ethics, customs, legends and stories, which Jewish tradition considers authoritative. ... Shekinah (שכינה - alternative transliterations Shechinah, Shekhina, Shechina) is the English spelling of the Hebrew language word that means the glory or radiance of God, or God resting in his house or Tabernacle amongst his people. ... Torah (תורה) is a Hebrew word meaning teaching, instruction, or law. ... Halakha (Hebrew: הלכה; also transliterated as Halakhah, Halacha, Halachah) is the collective corpus of Jewish rabbinic law, custom and tradition. ... Minhag is a word for custom. ...


Reasons given for wearing a kippah today include:

  • recognition that God is "above" humankind,
  • "acceptance" of the 613 mitzvot (commandments),
  • "identification" with the Jewish people.

Some have a custom of wearing two head coverings, typically a kippah and a hat on top, for Kabbalistic reasons; the two coverings correspond to two levels of intellect, or two levels in the fear of God. The High Priest of the Temple in Jerusalem, the Kohen Gadol, also used to wear a woolen kippa under his priestly hat (Talmud Chulin 138a)[1]. 613 mitzvot (or 613 Commandments. ... // The word Jew (Hebrew: יהודי transliterated: Yehudi) is used in many ways, but generally refers to a follower of Judaism, a child of a Jewish mother, or someone of Jewish descent with a connection to Jewish culture or ethnicity; and often a combination of these attributes. ... Kabbalah (Hebrew קַבָּלָה reception, Standard Hebrew Qabbala, Tiberian Hebrew Qabbālāh; also written variously as Cabala, Cabalah, Cabbala, Cabbalah, Kabala, Kabalah, Kabbala, Qabala, Qabalah, Kaballah) is an interpretation (exegesis, hermeneutic) key, soul of the Torah (Hebrew Bible), or the religious mystical system of Judaism claiming an insight into divine nature. ... The position of a Kohens hands when he raises them to bless a Jewish congregation A Kohen (or Cohen, Hebrew priest, pl. ... The Temple in Jerusalem or the Holy Temple (Beit HaMikdash בית המקדש in Hebrew) was built in ancient Jerusalem and was the center of Israelite and Jewish worship, primarily for the offering of sacrifices known as the korbanot. ...


External links

  • Aish HaTorah's Ask the Rabbi on head covering
  • Ohr Someyach's Ask the Rabbi on head covering
  • The Skullcap - A brief treatise on the significance of covering one's head with a Kipah
  • Chabad-Lubavitch Laws of head covering


Jewish life topics
Birth: Brit milah | Zeved habat (Simchat Bat) | Hebrew name | Redemption of First-born (Pidyon Haben)
Coming of Age: Upsherin | B'nai Mitzvah
Adult: Ablution in Judaism | Prayers and blessings
Marriage: Matchmaking | Jewish view of marriage | Role of women in Judaism | Niddah | Mikvah | Tzeniut
Judaism : Religious life | Observing the commandments | Torah study (Weekly Torah portion) | Talmud study (Daf Yomi) | Jewish holidays
Cultural: Israel | Immigration into Israel | Charity
Items of religious significance: Tzitzit | Tallit | Tefillin | Yarmulke-Kippa | Menorah
Death : Chevra kadisha | Shiv'ah | Kaddish | Tehillim | Yahrzeit | Yizkor edit

  Results from FactBites:
 
Yarmulke - Kippot - Judaica Guide (181 words)
A Yarmulke or Kippah (plural Kippot) is a thin, usually slightly rounded cloth cap worn by religious Jews on their heads.
The Yarmulke is the most commonly known and recognized piece of Jewish garb, but it is actually the one with the least religious significance.
The source for wearing a Yarmulke is found in the Talmud, where it is states "Cover your head in order that the fear of heaven may be upon you."
Yarmulke (599 words)
Satin kippah, suede kippah, moire kipah, velvet yarmulke and specialized yarmulke available for Wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, Bris, 50th Wedding Anniversary, or any Simcha.
Moire yarmulke will provide an elegance to your celebration.
Please enter your inscription information in the box when ordering yarmulke.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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