What are those little hats called that Jewish males wear?

Question

I am not Jewish myself, and I am not attempting to be insulting. It is just that despite my best efforts to try to pose my questions tactfully in a conversation, they do not seem to come out that way – at least not to me. Therefore, I find writing it out helps to take away the offensive connotations that might be mistakenly inferred from my inquiry.

So my questions for those of you that know is, (as I posed in my title), what are those little hats called that Jewish males wear? As well, why do the women not wear them? I see plenty of my college peers wearing them all day – but only like on certain days. Is there a specific time you are supposed to wear it? What does it represent? Many questions I know. Nevertheless, if you can answer all or just some of these questions, I would really appreciate it. I was just interested in gaining a little knowledge about this. Thanks.

Answer 1

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 2

Yarmulke.

It is a Yiddish word- it refers to the skullcaps you're asking about.

There's actually disagreement over whether wearing the Yarmulke is a law or a custom. Some wear them only during prayers, some on holy days, and some all of the time. Orthodox Jews try to avoid walking more that 4 cubits (2 meters) without the head covering.

Orthodox women do not wear yarmulke's but some non-orthodox women have started wearing them. In old times (and in some strict orthodox cultures) women cover their heads more fully with scarves.

The colors sometimes represent a certain movement.

Answer 3

Several people have correctly identified the head covering as a kippa (the Hebrew name) or yarmulke (Yiddish name), but I just wanted to add a warning that not every Jew in the United States, and certainly not elsewhere, pronounces yarmulke YAH-muh-kuh. Dropping the "r" is a New Yorkism and sounds ignorant--or, at the very least, lazy--to many Jews outside of NY.

Answer 4

Its pronounced the way Pagan spelled it, but its actually spelled yarmulke. Its a token of devotion to their god, so likely the day you see people wearing it, is mostly on Saturday, the Jewish sabbath, or holidays. I don't know why men only, sorry.

Answer 5

Kippah

Answer 6

In Yiddish they are called Yarmulkes (pronounced Yamukahs) and in Hebrew they are Kippa, or plural, Kippot.

Answer 7

It's called a yarmulke (pronounced yah-muh-kuh). That's about all that I know, as I am Christian and not Jewish.

Also, thank you for being literate.

Answer 8

Kippah.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kippah

Answer 9

Okay I don't know how to spell it, but it sounds like "Yah-muh-kuh." The spelling has a couple R's in it, I think.

Answer 10

yamaka