- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Various Subjects
Is Wearing a Kipa Halachically Required?
Our Sedra details the clothes worn by the Kohanim; one of them is the "mitznefet," assumed to be a turban made of fabric wound around & around, but which Rashi calls a "kipa" or tall hat. The tradition to wear a kipa is not derived from any biblical verse. Rather, it is a custom which evolved as a sign of our recognition that there is someone above us who watches our every act. This is the meaning of "yarmulka" – literally, "Yare Malka," or "fear of the King." The Gemara in Shabbat tells of a woman who was told by astrologers that her son would be a thief; she made sure that his head was always covered so he would overcome his urge to steal. In Talmudic times, wearing a head covering was reserved for men of great stature. In later generations, though, it became the accepted custom for all Jewish men to wear a kipa at all times, especially during prayer. As with all Jewish customs, once they become universally accepted practice, they take on a more obligatory status.

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Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.

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