The Kippah (Skullcap) - Mitzvahs & Traditions

A kippah (literally: dome) is the Hebrew word for skullcap, also referred to in Yiddish as a yarmulke, or less frequently as a koppel.

Jewish law requires men to cover their heads as a sign of respect and reverence for G‑d when praying, studying Torah, saying a blessing or entering a synagogue.

This practice has its roots in biblical times, when the priests in the Temple were instructed to cover their heads.

Traditionally, Jewish men and boys wear the kippah at all times, a symbol of their awareness of, and submission to, a "higher" entity.

Although it is not explicitly required by law, the practice is noted in the Talmud, and through the ages, this became an accepted Jewish custom to the point that according to the majority of halachic authorities, it is mandatory. One should, therefore, not walk or even sit, bareheaded. Small children should also be taught to cover their heads.

Aside from the commonblack kippah, many wear kippot (plural form of kippah) of various colors or designs. Some communities have developed kippah designs that are highly intricate works of art, such as those made by Jewish artisans from Yemen and Georgia, most of whom now live in Israel.

For more on the Kippah, click here and here.

By Lorne Rozovsky

Lorne E. Rozovsky is a Lawyer, author, educator, a health management consultant and an inquisitive Jew. He could be contacted via his web site rozovsky.com.

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September 4, 2012

kippot

I do not know whether it is true or not but some people complain that if you wear a hat all the time it will make you bald!

David Flinkstein
London, UK

March 9, 2012

Two kippot

The wearing of two kippot is not a widespread practice, and is not a practice that is mandated. However, it is similar to the practice of wearing a kippah underneath a hat. The rationale for this practice which is more common is that when the hat is removed, the head always remains covered.

Lorne Rozovsky
Bloomfield, CT, USA

March 9, 2012

Two Kippot?

I recently attended an event by a friend who wears two kippot, one under the other. Why?

Anonymous
Cambridge, MA

January 25, 2012

kippah and the bald man

I keep my head bald. So keeping a kippah on my head has gotten easy. I wear a knitted or machine worked ones. I have found that by wetting the inside with a spray bottle then placing it in place insures a true fit. I also apply lotion, the lotion keeps your head a little stickier and this works for me. I am asked all the time .How do you keep that on your head? My answer is the power in prayer. Hope this helps you as it works for me.

Aaron Levi Savoie
st.martinville, louisiana

January 24, 2012

Thanks for this i needed to do some research on this subject and wanted to create a project on it.

Anonymous
anonymous, anonymous

March 26, 2011

Many years ago I used to have few Jew teachers when attended music school.I feel an entirely respect for these people they tough me many things....I wont forget when once i was doing some exercise in music class and my Jew teacher came and asked me to explain my thinking about it.He said to me "John you think correctly just very slowly, never stop thinking and u will be all the time first" and he told me to cover my head with foil and hat as it would help me to concentrate my thinking and its really works...Kippah isnt entirely related with religion, there is something more,that makes them to be first.That is people that we have to learn many things from.

John

February 21, 2011

good research

Thanks. I needed this for project I am doing.

Ronald
ayden, NC

January 9, 2011

Response to Chezo

It's nice to hear that the Jewish nation has such a loyal friend. I respect your idea to wear a Kippah as a sign of solidarity, but there are concerns which I think should be taken into consideration. For example, a Jew has many restrictions on where he should not be seen (since he represents the Jewish people), and what events he is prohibited to attend. Since you as a non-Jew are not asked to keep these rules, and wearing a Kippah you might be mistaken for a religious Jew, it would be preferable if you did not wear a Kippah. However, if you desire to wear a Kippah to show that you too are a man under authority, I would encourage wearing a regular hat or cap.

Anonymous
NYC

January 7, 2011

I am not a Jew myself but have great respect for the Jewish people and their beliefs and do believe they are the chosen people of G-d. I have been studying the Torah and some Jewish literature and Judaism, including observing some of the ways of doing things in their way of life, but…I have just bought a kippah, but some Jewish individuals at work feel offended and say I am making a mockery of their religion, what do I do? I have come to know the G-d of Israel as the One and Only true G-d, it is a way of showing appreciation and reverence as my life will not be same again. Should I get permission from the Rabbi or Jewish Authorities, please advice so as to follow protocol.

Chezo
Johannesburg, South Africa

December 23, 2010

the kippa

In Israel kippa sometimes serves a sign of political identification. Thus, the most part of national reliligious movement wear knitted kippot of various colors. A black kippa is used by charedim, and white kippa is used on various occasions by those who do not cover their heads in everyday life. Certainly, there are also those who are between and their kippot do not mean any political identification.

Shlomo Gurevich
Hoshaya, Israel
chabadscrippsranch.org

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