Why do the chassidim dress in the manner of 18th century Russian non-Jewish gentry?

The dress thing is just a classic social psychology issue. For a community to stick together they need some distinct dress. It's actually written into the Code of Jewish Law that a Jew is supposed to dress differently from those around him. Every once in a while in history, for whatever reason, that falls apart—and then starts up again. So the dress gets fixed at that "healing of crisis" point.

Now, if you'll allow me to make a small comment: I notice you are asking questions about very external matters—the things you see, but don't really count. Proof that it's external: A person can wear all the right clothes, and be sinking terribly on the inside.

But don't you have any questions on what these people believe? What drives them? Why are they still around? I mean, about the engine under the hood.

Rabbi Tzvi Freeman for Chabad.org

By Tzvi Freeman

Tzvi Freeman is the author of Bringing Heaven Down to Earth and, more recently, Wisdom to Heal the Earth. Subscribe to The Daily Dose of Wisdom and Freeman Files for regular updates.

All names of persons and locations or other identifying features referenced in these questions have been omitted or changed to preserve the anonymity of the questioners.

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11 Comments

Gem Australia November 20, 2018

Tzvi Freeman strikes again! Love it how you point to the more important inner questions :) Reply

Yusuf New jersey August 3, 2022

in response to Gem:

I concur! Reply

S. Lerner June 6, 2018

Wearing of modern suits So does this mean that Orthodox Jews wearing modern suits is another break from the tradition of wearing specifically Jewish clothing? If so, with society's trend towards more casual clothing, will wearing suits be the "old fashioned" clothing that Jews will be known for in the future? Reply

Joseph Vinegar August 10, 2023

in response to S. Lerner:

Well, yes and no. It was for the first half of the 20th century - everybody dressed that way - but after that, as Yeshivish Orthodoxy began to revive, and everyone else started dressing down, dark suits and dress shirts became official Jewish clothing
In fact, Yeshivish Jewish clothing became even more strict post-WWII: in photographs of Yeshivos in Europe, you could find Yeshiva Bochurim - even future Gedolim - wearing straw hats, coloured shirts, and grey suits; today, the only tradition where I'm aware this has not stopped is in the Chofetz Chaim system (and only for bochurim) - elsewhere, Yeshiva Bochurim and Rebbis almost never wear coloured shirts (though plenty of laymen do), and straw hats aren't really a thing anymore.
In other words, it's developed into a new standard, which will probably (BE"H) not change anytime soon. Reply

Reuven Mordechai Eretz, Israel December 27, 2010

Depends on the I don't think you can ask such a broad question, especially since the Chabad Chassidim actually dress quite a bit differently than other Chassidim. But here are some general answers:
--Hat: Keter, crown, represents higher thoughts, and a desire to aspire to their understanding
--Suit: Always in the presence and service of the King (G-d), you should be dressed your best
--Colors: Black & white signify humility
--Old school: The Tzaddikim behind Chassidus lived in the 18th and early 19th centuries, and who could blame a follower for wanting to dress as fashion
--Beard & side burns: this is the hair associated with holiness, as opposed to head hair, associated with the non holiness
Hopefully this explains at least a little. Anyway, it's a Kabbalistically oriented lifestyle, and the dress reflects this. Reply

Gem 'Straya November 20, 2018

in response to Reuven Mordechai:

That's what I was looking for, I knew there had to be a kabbalistic connection. Thanks :) Reply

Anonymous Roanoke, VA March 19, 2010

Good to Ask Rabbi Freeman...I have to respectfully disagree with your response. If people were not interested in learning the deeper significance of seemingly trivial outward expressions of faith, Judaism would not be a religion at all. It would merely be a bunch of crazy people following half-cocked archaic habits. I, for one, am glad the querier queried. :) Reply

Thought I'd mention January 26, 2010

Not from gentry dress I learned it like this: traditional Ashkenazi clothing derives from Babylonia, originally. The ancient Babylonian dress code for men consisted of a silk or linen robe (without pockets or lapels) tied with a sash, along with slippers and a turban. This clothing was later picked up by both Persians and Turks, as well as Jews during the Babylonian Exile. Jews brought this clothing to Europe, where the turbans were switched for shtreimels and the overall color was switched from more colorful designs to black. The rest of the outfit - the pocketless, buttonless robe, white undershirt and slippers- was retained. 17th century Polish gentry got their clothing from contact with the Turks- hence the similarity between Ashkenazi Jewish and Polish dress.

However, the idea that Jewish garb came from Poland was a rumor spread by Maskilim during the Haskala, as a way of persuading young Jewish men to abandon their traditional clothing. However, Hasidic garb's Oriental origin can still be seen when compared to traditional Persian and Turkish clothing. References to the "Jewish kaftan" by Christians have been found dating back to the 1500s, and no Yiddish Haskala writers (including Shalom Aleichem) seem to have been aware of the Jewish clothing having a Polish origin.

In fact, according to the Klausenberger Rebbe, traditional Jewish garb was invented by Jews first, and picked up by the Babylonians during the Babylonian exile.

Ideas on this? Reply

Anonymous November 6, 2017

in response to Thought I'd mention:

I agree that the origin of Hassidic clothing might well predate the Polish diaspora. Ancient art across the Orient depicts men, as well as women, wearing robes or caftans, often tied in the middle or higher up as did the Koreans. Oddly, the ancient Korean men's hat seems very much like the hat that some religious men wear today. Reply

Rachel Nyack, NY April 11, 2008

Ultra orthadox Get to know some of these poeple. I have found they are the sweetest most giving people I have ever met in my life. I now look at them differently- I admire them. Reply

Leyzer Silver Spring, MD December 2, 2007

Russian gentry dress According to what I've heard, the whole thing about Chassidic clothing being the same as 18th century Russian Nobility is really an urban legend. Actually, the most common version says that it is 17th-century Polish nobility. Until you can find a source for it, I would assume that it is not true. Reply

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