Why do Jewish men wear hats?

Answer 1

The tradition to wear a kippah (the cap) is not derived from a biblical passage. Rather, it is a custom which is done as a sign of our recognition that God is always above us. Jewish males have covered their heads for as far back as we can trace. This practice is twice mentioned emphatically in the Talmud (Shabbat 156b; Kallah 1:16), in statements dating back 1700 and 1850 years, respectively. Even then, covering one's head is spoken of as an established practice, not something new.

Answer 2

This answer came out of a meditation on the sound at the top of the head.

I was trying to find an answer to how to keep focus on the sound at the top of the head for longer periods of time.

As I was meditating on this sound this answer came up. "Put something on the head that can draw attention to that point and then the attention can be held on the sound more easily".

I immediately thought of the skullcaps that so many religions wear and are associated with meditation or prayer.

On further contemplation the following came up.

The highest Awareness, Consciousness is at the top of the head.

This is the seat of the Crown chakra or the highest Consciousness or God Consciousness. If awareness can be kept on this centre then in time God consciousness arises. It is the highest meditation where I AM THAT becomes an experience.

In all beings there is a special sound at the top of the head and when listened to it brings God Consciousness. It is above the activity of all other Chakras. This sound is considered by some meditators as the sound OM. It is not a physical sound but the fundamental mental vibration out of which the inner voice, thoughts, understanding, feelings and so on, arise.

So the answer to the question is that the wearing of the skull cap helps in directing the attention, prayer or meditation to the top of the head the seat of God Consciousness.

In other words remembering God.

Jewish Answer

Jewish men wear kippot (pl) as a physical acknowledgment that HaShem is always above us.

Answer 3

The customary Jewish head covering (for simplicity, we'll call it a kipa (singular of kipot), although all the terms refer to approximately the same thing) is a sign of humility for men, acknowledging what's "above" us (G-d). An additional explanation is that in ancient Rome, servants were required to cover their heads while free men did not; thus, Jews covered their heads to show that they were servants of G-d. It's necessary for men to cover their heads during certain prayers (whether it be by a kipa or another headcovering), and for one making blessings all day, it's inconvenient to keep donning and removing a kipa. In some places, the type of kipa and way of wearing it expresses affiliation with a particular yeshiva or political viewpoint. In other places, it doesn't really matter. Many Ashkenazi rabbis acknowledge that wearing a head covering at all times was once considered an optional "midat chasidut" (pious act) but that nowadays, full-time head covering is the norm except under extenuating circumstances. Sephardic communities generally did not have the custom of wearing a kipa all the time. Some diaspora Jews leave off the kipa at school, work, or when testifying in court, because of real danger or uneasiness in appearing in the secular world with an obvious symbol of Jewishness. Many non-Orthodox Jews (and some modern Orthodox Jews) do not always wear a kipa. This is because some sources make covering the head by a Jewish male a special practice of the pious (midat chasidut). However, these movements do recognize that it is a Jewish way of showing reference and respect, as well as a positive means of identification (which can serve as a barrier against assimilation). Some movements have specific recommendations as to the time that a kipa is worn; for example: Conservative practice is to cover the head in the following situations:

* Whenever in the sanctuary of a synagogue.

* When praying and when studying or reading from sacred literature.

* Whenever performing any ritual.

* When eating, since eating is always followed by a benediction.

* Some follow the minhag of certain Jewish communities in Germany where they cover their heads during the blessing before the meal and during the benedictions after the meal, but not during the meal itself.

In Israel wearing a kipa also has a social significance. While wearing a kipa shows that you are somewhat religious, not-wearing one is like stating "I'm not religious". The style of kipa in Israel can also indicate political and religious affiliations. The wearing of the kipah at school and work has increased in recent years. These are also affectionately called "beanies," "holy headgear," "Yamahas," "Yid-lids," and "Kapeles." (Similarly, some hair coverings for married women are affectionately called "shmattehs.")

Answer 4

Exodus Chapter 28 includes a list of clothing considered suitable by G-d for the Kohanim, the priestly caste that has given us the common Jewish name Cohen, to be worn as they performed their religious duties. Among these instructions is one telling us to cover our heads while praying or appearing before G-d in order to show respect - a feature that Judaism shares with many other Middle Eastern and Eastern religions.

Since observant Jews have a very great and deeply felt respect for the Divine, the custom spread to include those who were not Kohanim too and before long, Jewish people kept their heads covered at all times as a mark of that respect. However, this is not a mitzvah (commandment from the Torah) and so a hat doesn't have to be worn when wearing one might be impractical, for example in bed or while swimming. There is also no recommendation on the type of hat to be worn, which is why you will see Jewish men wearing all sorts of hats (black fedoras, homburgs and suchlike are most common simply because they have become part of "traditional Jewish dress" - it's very much a fashion) or simply a yarmulke (also known as a kippah), the (usually) round skullcap worn by most observant men and some women. Yarmulkes also are not subject to any law regarding style and so you may sometimes see Jewish boys wearing examples embroidered with the name of their favourite football team or band - there used to be a shop in Jerusalem that rather memorably sold them with the names of various heavy metal bands.

Some Jewish women also cover their heads, partly as a mark of respect and partly because a woman's hair has long been considered to be one of her most alluring features among Jewish communities. As such, women may cover their heads with a scarf when in public or even shave their hair and replace it with a wig called a sheitel which will then be covered by a scarf - this is rare among young Jewish women these days, but if you visit a Jewish community you can still see elderly women who do this.

Answer 5

The Yarmulke (in Yiddish; or Kippah in Hebrew) symbolizes the humbling relationship between man and God (see Talmud, Shabbat 156b). Man must never let his ego rise above a certain level, for he is and always shall be a creation of God, never better than.

The Yiddish word for kippah, "yarmulke," is a contraction of the Aramaic "yerei malkah": to be aware of the King.

Answer 6

Religiously observant Jewish men keep their heads covered as a physical acknowledgement that HaShem is always above us.

Answer 7

The skullcap that Jewish men wear is called a kippah. The kippah is worn as a physical acknowledgment that HaShem is always above us.

Answer 8

First of all, they are called "Kippahs" or "Yarmulkes." (Yah-Mah-KAHZ). They symbolize Jews being protected from evil and sin.