What's the purpose of hair curls around a Jewish man's ears?

Question

I'm quite curious. Does it symbolize something?

Answer 1

They're called peyas (peyot in Hebrew). They come from the passages in the Tanakh that say a man is not to shave off the corners of his beard and that a man is not to cut his sideburns. So, the sideburns are not cut and are allowed to grow long. They are not present in Reform or Conservative Judaism, but are somewhat in Orthodox Judaism, and very much so in Chassids.

Answer 2

Also, Hasidic Jews are a relatively small group, but are widely known because of the destinctive dress and hair style worn. Many people in fact don't realize that Orthodox Judaism and Hasidic Judaism are two distinct branches of Judaism. Hasidic Jusaism both place great emphasis on the Torah and Talmud. Hasidism is a religious movement which gave rise to a pattern of communal life and leadership as well as a particular social outlook. The curls are called payos and they begin when a boy first reaches the age of 3. The haircut are authentically Jewish and based on the Torah. The payos (sidecurls) and beard are worn in obedience to this commandment in the Torah (Bible): You shall not round the corners of your heads, nor mar the edges of your beards. (Leviticus 19:27) The "corners of the head" are the area above the ears. "Not rounding" them means not shaving the hair there, or cutting it very short. Together, both the curls and the untrimmed beard are a symbol of obedience to the laws of God. Many Hasidic men also cut the rest of the hair very short. This is not really required, but is more comfortable under a hat. Also, some Hasidim see the entire haircut -- very short hair with beard and payos -- as part of the "uniform" of their group. The minimum length for payos (pronounced PAY-us) is long enough that you can grab a hair and bend it towards its own root -- which comes out to be just about to the middle of the ear. But there are other opinions also, and many Hasidim wear them longer. Some men curl them carefully and let them hang conspicuously in front of the ears, while others tuck them behind the ears or up under their yarmulke (skullcap.) Again, this is a matter of style and, in some cases, personal preference.

Answer 3

There is a scripture in the Old Testament (Leviticus, I think) that says men are not to cut their sideburns. There is one sect of Judaism ... (Orthodox?) that still abide by this. This results in the curls around the ears.

Answer 4

I prefer hair that is shoulder length or longer, And since that men who like females are more often then not right, they like long hair because that looks more feminine, as most males have short hair.

Answer 5

Meee Toooo!

Answer 6

lengthy hair is nice but requires maintenance and u have to grow it out for a long time

Answer 7

Leviticus 19:27
King James Version: "Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard."

(Egyptian practices)

Answer 8

hm...good question. I like curly hair on my husband and baby though...although neither of them are jewish. so sorry i couldn't help you.

Answer 9

Yeah, that is something I've pondered but never sought entirely.

Answer 10

My head ain't square. Don't got corners. I evolved without them.