What is the little cap called that Jewish males wear, and what is its significance?

Answer 1

It's called a yarmulke.

"It is an ancient practice for Jews to cover their heads during prayer. This probably derives from the fact that in Eastern cultures, it is a sign of respect to cover the head (the custom in Western cultures is the opposite: it is a sign of respect to remove one's hat). Thus, by covering the head during prayer, one showed respect for G-d..."

(quoted from the site below)

Answer 2

kippah

The sources for wearing a kippah are found in the Talmud. In tractate Shabbat 156b it states Cover your head in order that the fear of heaven may be upon you. As well, in tractate Kiddushin 31a it states Rabbi Huna the son of Rabbi Joshua never walked 4 cubits (2 meters) with his head uncovered. He explained: "Because the Divine Presence (Shekhina) is always over my head."

While there is a minority opinion that wearing a kippah is a Torah commandment, most halakhic decisors agree that it is merely a custom. The prevailing view among Rabbinical authorities is that this custom has taken on the force of law (Shulkhan Arukh, Orach Chayim 2:6), because it is an act of Kiddush Ha-Shem, "Sanctifying the Holy Name". From a strictly talmudic point of view, however, the only moment when a Jewish man is required to cover his head is during prayer (Mishne Torah, Ahavah, Hilkhot Tefilah 5:5).

A Hasidic/Kabbalist tradition that the kippah reflects several ideas: one is that Ha-Shem covers us with His Divine Palm; indeed, the Hebrew word kaf means either "cloud" or "palm of the hand". The Hebrew letter kav is the first letter of the word kippah.

Reasons given for wearing a kippah today include:

recognition that God is "above" humankind,
"acceptance" of the 613 mitzvot (commandments),
"identification" with the Jewish people,
demonstration of the "ministry" of all Jews.
Some have a custom of wearing two head coverings, typically a kippah covered by a hat, for Kabbalistic reasons; the two coverings correspond to two levels of intellect, or two levels in the fear of God. The High Priest of the Temple in Jerusalem, the Kohain Gadol, also used to wear a woolen kippa under his priestly headdress (Talmud Chulin 138a)

Others wear two head coverings for fashion reasons (i.e., e.g., the kippah and a baseball cap or dress hat) so that they may appear fashionable in public, while still having the kippah for indoors.

Answer 3

A kippah (Hebrew: כִּפָּה‎, also kipah, kipa, kippa, plural kippot; Yiddish: יאַרמלקע, yarmlke, yarmulke, yarmulka, yarmelke, less commonly called kapel) is a thin, usually slightly-rounded cloth skullcap worn by observant Jews (usually men, but not always; see below).
[edit] Etymology
The word Yarmulke is a Yiddish word. It may come from Turkish, but the most common explanation is the folk etymology claim that it comes from an Aramaic phrase "Yari Malka", meaning, "Fear of the King". This implies that one wearing a yarmulke should fear "the King", meaning God.

In Hebrew, the word kippah means dome.


[edit] Purpose
The sources for wearing a kippah are found in the Talmud. In tractate Shabbat 156b it states Cover your head in order that the fear of heaven may be upon you. As well, in tractate Kiddushin 31a it states Rabbi Huna the son of Rabbi Joshua never walked 4 cubits (2 meters) with his head uncovered. He explained: "Because the Divine Presence (Shekhina) is always over my head."

While there is a minority opinion that wearing a kippah is a Torah commandment, most halakhic decisors agree that it is merely a custom. The prevailing view among Rabbinical authorities is that this custom has taken on the force of law (Shulkhan Arukh, Orach Chayim 2:6), because it is an act of Kiddush Ha-Shem, "Sanctifying the Holy Name". From a strictly talmudic point of view, however, the only moment when a Jewish man is required to cover his head is during prayer (Mishne Torah, Ahavah, Hilkhot Tefilah 5:5).

A Hasidic/Kabbalist tradition that the kippah reflects several ideas: one is that Ha-Shem covers us with His Divine Palm; indeed, the Hebrew word kaf means either "cloud" or "palm of the hand". The Hebrew letter kav is the first letter of the word kippah.

Reasons given for wearing a kippah today include:

recognition that God is "above" humankind,
"acceptance" of the 613 mitzvot (commandments),
"identification" with the Jewish people,
demonstration of the "ministry" of all Jews.
Some have a custom of wearing two head coverings, typically a kippah covered by a hat, for Kabbalistic reasons; the two coverings correspond to two levels of intellect, or two levels in the fear of God. The High Priest of the Temple in Jerusalem, the Kohain Gadol, also used to wear a woolen kippa under his priestly headdress (Talmud Chulin 138a)[3].

Others wear two head coverings for fashion reasons (i.e., e.g., the kippah and a baseball cap or dress hat) so that they may appear fashionable in public, while still having the kippah for indoors.

Answer 4

It is a kippah (key-pah) in Hebrew, yarmulke (yommikah) in Yidddish.

Jewish men wear it to remind them that G-d is above their heads and also to remind them of G-d's presence everywhere--also, it is a sign of respect to cover one's head in Jewish culture. In synagogue men would be asked (even non-Jewish men) to wear a kippah as a sign of respect for what is going on. Chassidic and Orthodox Jewish men wear it all the time, Conservative and Reform Judaism wear it in synagogue. It is not a commandment per se but a personal choice by that man.

Answer 5

Yarmulke is the Yiddish term, and kippah is the Hebrew. It's a covering for the head, as the men are to keep their heads covered as a sign they obey God. A sort of reminder that there's always Someone greater than you, so to speak ;)

Answer 6

I don't know what they are called, but one time we passed on the highway a car that was laying on it's top ... and there were 5 Jewish guys standing next to the car. My friend riding with me said ... good thing they were wearing those white caps so they didn't scrape their head !!

True story !

Answer 7

A yarmulke or kipa is worn by traditional orthodox Jewish men. Though uncommon, some women have been known to wear a kipa as well.

Answer 8

It's called a yarmulke. The word Yarmulke is a Yiddish word. It may come from Turkish, but the most common explanation is the folk etymology claim that it comes from an Aramaic phrase "Yari Malka", meaning, "Fear of the King". This implies that one wearing a yarmulke should fear "the King", meaning God.

Answer 9

It is spelled : Yarmulke, and it is also known as a Kippa. It is a sign of respect for the Creator.

Answer 10

Its called a Yarmulka, its a sign of respect for G-d.