Why Do Jews Wear a Yarmulke?
"Yarmulke" is the Yiddish name for the small, round skullcap worn by many people of the Jewish faith. Another common name for the yarmulke is "kippah," which is a Hebrew word that translates to "dome." Jewish scholar Leo Rosten claims that the word "yarmulke" comes from the Tatar word for skullcap. Many other scholars, though, trace the word to the Aramaic "yira malka" or "yerai malka," which means "awe of the king."
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Wearing the Yarmulke
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The yarmulke is worn by Jews as a sign of respect for God and an acknowledgment of God's presence above. It is also viewed as a device to mark the division between Earth and Heaven. Many members of the Jewish religion continue to wear the yarmulke; however, in spite of their faith, many do not.
Law or Custom?
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Jews have covered their heads during religious ceremonies for centuries; however, there is a debate over whether or not the wearing of a yarmulke is an actual law or simply a custom. Today, Orthodox and many Conservative Jews will wear the yarmulke constantly, while Reform Jews will often wear the yarmulke only on religious and ceremonial occasions, if at all.
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Variations
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Yarmulkes come in many fabrics, designs, and colors, although members of the Chassidic (or "Hasidic") branch of Orthodox Judaism will wear only the traditional black yarmulke. A hat, even a baseball cap or other head covering, can substitute for a yarmulke. For security, though, many members of the Orthodox Jewish community also wear yarmulkes underneath hats and caps.
Yarmulkes and Women
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Traditionally, women in Judaism often wore head coverings but not yarmulkes. Today, many women, particularly in Conservative Judaism, are also opting to wear the yarmulke.
Further Debate
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In recent times, much discussion has taken place regarding the occasions when it may be acceptable for yarmulke-wearing Jews to refrain from wearing a yarmulke. As the website, Judaism 101, points out, some religious scholars have said that removing a yarmulke for job interviews, for example, is not improper, while other religious scholars disagree.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Laetitia Bouaziz @ Judaica image by Laetitia Bouaziz from Fotolia.com
