Is it mandatory to wear a skullcap for a jewish boy?

Question

What is the importance of the skullcap and when should one wear it ?
Is it important to wear always ?
Where to purchase it?

Answer 1

That depends upon your movement affiliations and your own personal decisions, but the following can be a rough guide:

If you're Orthodox--
You are responsible for all aspects of Jewish practice after your bar mitzvah. That includes (but is not limited to) wearing a kippah, and also the mitzvot of wearing tallit and laying tefillin.
The kippah or other head covering must be worn inside the synagogue at all times, and most also believe that the kippah or other head covering must be worn outside the synagogue as well.

If you're not Orthodox, it's not necessarily mandatory but it is encouraged, at least in the synagogue.

There are various websites that sell kippot, and most good Judaica shops have a good selection. If your synagogue runs a small store, they'll have them for sale as well.

A good person for this question is allonyoav--if he doesn't respond to the question, you might want to email him.

Answer 2

Ok, call it a kippah or yalmulka, but not a skull cap. Now, as far as mandatory all the time, I would say yes, if you are orthodox/traditional, no, depending on your (or your Rabbi's) interpretation of the Law. I asked my ex why he didn't wear his all the time (His family is orthodox, but they're also of African ancestry), he said it's not necessary to wear all the time, except during Sabbath service. Again, that was based on their cultural and rabbinical interpretation. You can find Judaica sites on the internet, if there are no stores where you live.

Answer 3

It is a sign of religious piety (honoring the Lord God) and mandatory depending on the form of Judaism your parents are raising you in. Usual answer is to wear at the Temple or synagogue, and optional elsewhere.

It is a yarmulke in common American parlance, same as a zuchetto for a Roman Catholic priest, and the same rules apply more or less.

Look on-line. They're easily found.

Answer 4

A boy over the age of 3 should not walk more than 4 amos (6 - 8 feet) without a yarmulka/skullcap on his head.
Here a links to a few types of yarmulkas.
http://www.eichlers.com/Product/Kippot%20-%20Yarmulkas/Hand%20Painted%20Suede%20Kippahs/LED%20KIPPAH%20LED%20KIPPOT_LEDK.html
http://www.eichlers.com/Product/Kippot%20-%20Yarmulkas/Velvet/Velvet%20Black%20Yarmulka%20-%204%20Part_ESL-19890.html
http://www.eichlers.com/Product/Kippot%20-%20Yarmulkas/Velvet/Velvet%20Yarmulka_ESL-19892.html
P.S: You might this article interesting, http://www.aish.com/jewishissues/jewishsociety/The_Kippah_Debate.asp