2006-12-18 17:04:33 · 6 answers · asked by amir s 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My Jewish girlfriend told me it was to remind them that they are not all high and mighty. It keeps them grounded so to speak. Theory being that it reminds them that God is above them and they are not above Him. Also, they are to cover their heads when in prayer.
2006-12-18 17:31:07 · answer #1 · answered by dna_notorious_here 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The story of the origin of the yarmulke, pronounced yamaka, comes from the Talmud, Shabbos 156b.
It happened that there was a Jewish woman
who was getting ready to have a baby during the Mishnaic times. (Around the times of Jesus.)
Roman astrologers ran up to her and told her that the baby would be a thief. The woman went to the Sages and asked them what to do, and they said, "Cover his head so that the fear of heaven will rest on him."
She did, and the baby grew up to be a leader of the Jewish people, Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak. The Jewish people, seeing that it worked, took on the custom of covering the head of boys so that they would fear G-d. (The word yarmulke is an acronym for Fear the Kingship of G-d.)
In Judaism it is believed that prophecy was taken out of the world after the prophet Malachai, but that a vestige of it exists with Jews who keep the Sabbath collectively. What that meens in practical terms is that if all the Jews who keep the Sabbath start doing something, it becomes legally binding on the Jewish people like a decree from the Prophets. This is one of those things.
What about little girls? Little girls can't cover their head because in the Bible, in the section in numbers about the Woman who's husband is jealous and fears she committed adultary, when he takes her to the temple for the test to be administered, one of the things the Priest does is uncover her hair.
Jewish tradition learns from this that a married woman or a woman who has had relations with a man must cover her hair.
SIngle girls can't cover their heads because it would imply they are promiscuous. The Magen Avraham, a famous Rabbi, suggests that instead of covering their head, they should braid their hair tightly, and it will have the same effect. This is the custom among traditional Jerusalemite families, and many Hungarians.
2006-12-19 05:02:08 · answer #2 · answered by 0 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe you are asking about a yarmulke (the word is in Yiddish) or kipah (Hebrew). In English, you would be referring to a skullcap.
Jewish men wear these as a sign of respect for their version of a a supreme being. It's also worn because men are required to cover their heads when in prayer, and in judaism, one can pray at any time and just about any place.
Married jewish women cover their heads to signify both their marital status and their fidelity
Then again, traditionally, christian women cover their heads when in a church, and in many religions, men routinely cover their heads at least when they pray.
2006-12-19 01:19:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
to make you ask questions.
Works pretty good HUH?
(my uncle is jewish and that was HIS answer to my 6 year old coz asking the same question)
2006-12-19 01:07:05 · answer #4 · answered by Mrs Lizzard 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To show their respect before THE GOD.
They keep their head covered.
2006-12-19 01:27:44 · answer #5 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
2006-12-19 01:06:14 · answer #6 · answered by will p 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋