Why do most Jewish men usually wear all black?

Question

i work near a Jewish, um...building, or whatever you call it, and i always see the males walking out of there wearing tall black hats, and all blacks suits, and most of them have long beards. if you're Jewish, can you tell me why?
I'm just wondering

Answer 1

Actually most Jews do not dress like that.

Answer 2

The men you're seeing are likely Hasidic Jews - which is a small sect of the Jewish religion. A majority of Jewish people dress as you do.

Hasidic men most commonly wear all black with a white shirt.


from wikipedia: Hasidim have a reputation for their distinctive attire. Within the Hasidic world, one can distinguish different groups by subtle differences in appearance. Many of the details of their dress are not peculiar to Hasidim, and are shared by many non-Hasidic Haredim. Much of their dress was historically the clothing of all Eastern-European Jews before and after the start of the Hasidic movement. However, it is mainly the Hasidim who have continued with these styles to this day, although many non-Hasidic Haredim do also don such clothing. Furthermore, Hasidim have attributed mystical intents to these clothing styles.

Answer 3

Mostly just Hasidic Jews are Ninja Jews. I have the long beard but I mostly wear black at funerals and weddings. The beard has to do with the Torah the black cloths is a tradition from eastern Europe and Russia.

Answer 4

"Most" is incorrect. Don't confuse sects within a group with the whole group. You are probably observing some ultra-orthodox religious group who dress that way to separate and identify themselves. We don't make such generalizations about the attire of Amish or mormons who are Christian. I have never seen any of my many Jewish friends and acquaintances in all black attire.
OK, I am not Jewish so maybe I should just shut up.

Answer 5

They're Hasidim. Some Hasidic groups do have a uniform of sorts for the men, while others do not. Male Hasidic clothing does not have to be black, but is usually a dark, conservative color.

More recently, some Hasidim have interpreted the black clothing as a symbol representing a lack of ego. I

Answer 6

You probably work near a Hasidic business. Not to compare the two, but it's easier to look at it this way-- think of the Amish, how simplicity is key. It's the same idea with Hasidics, simplicy and loyalty to form and law. Beards for men, Curls to mimic King David of old, covering of hair, etc.

Answer 7

Seems to me you are stereo-typing a bit. That is a certain specific sect of very orthodox that follow the rules of Judism completely and totally. You question is almost like saying that you work near a church and you see women wearing black robes and hats. Do all women who belong to that church dress that way? Obviously not. To the person who answered negatively, who would you prefer living near you - one who follows the ten Commandments religiously or a suicide bomber?

Answer 8

Tradition

Answer 9

Get away from that building because my Jewish friends don't wear black all the time. Not good to generalize....it's always wrong.

Answer 10

not all do, but some sects do.
They just consider it a humble yet respectable way to dress.
The hat is a mix of custom and jewish law (hats are often considered a requirement for prayer). beards are also a mix of custom and jewish law (some consider it forbidden to shave at all, while many jews just consider it wrong to shave with a razor).

Answer 11

A kippah or yarmulka is worn by 'usually' Jewish men, but women are now starting to wear them. The sources for wearing a kippah are found in the Talmud. It states "Cover your head in order that the fear of heaven may be upon you." Reasons for wearing one today are: * recognition that God is "above" humankind, * "acceptance" of the 613 mitzvot (commandments), * "identification" with the Jewish people, * demonstration of the "ministry" of all Jews.