Why Do Jewish People Wear a Yarmulke?

A yarmulke is skullcap worn by Jewish men.

A yarmulke or kippah is worn by Jews when they pray or study the Torah. Some more observant Jews wear one all the time as a sign of their devotion or submission to God.

Function

According to the Talmud--Jewish religious commentary--wearing the kippah reminds Jews that there is a higher authority, and it reminds us that God is always watching. The yarmulke is one method used to bring out our respect for God.

Shul

It is quite simple to be mindful of the Lord when we are at Shul, the time spent breaking bread together on Shabat. The Lord wants his servants to seek his ways in the ordinary lives as well; the yarmulke serves as a tangible reminder of his presence.

Etymology

Etymologically, the Yiddish word yarmulke is derived from the Aramaic "yira malka," which means the awe of the king. Looking back even further, one can see a link to the word melech, a word that is Hebrew for king. The Hebrew name for the head covering, kippah, simply means dome.

Significance

Wearing a kippah proclaims that a person is proud to be a Jew. Even non-observant Jews will wear a Kippah when they visit Israel. Certainly, they will wear one when entering a synagogue.

Effects

The wearing of the kippah does not stop some people from committing indiscretions. The yarmulke does not have any mystical or magical powers; it is simply a symbol of the person's heritage and devotion to God.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish