Kippah - The purpose
The sources for wearing a kippa 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 32a 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 kippa 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). 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).
Reasons given for wearing a kippa today include:
* recognition that God is "above" humankind,
*"acceptance" of the 613 mitzvot (commandments),
*"identification" with the Jewish people.
Some have a custom of wearing two head coverings, typically a kippa and a hat on top, 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 Kohen Gadol, also used to wear a woolen kippa under his priestly hat (Talmud Chulin 138a).
The Hebrew-language equivalent, kippa actually means "dome", same as Arabic qubbah (قبة). The Gothic word kappel (cf. chapel) still exists in the Yiddish term (קאַפל kapl) today and survives as kappl (cap, hat) in several South German dialects. The equivalent of the Hebrew word is the French calotte and the Italian calotta, both referring to an architectural dome.
According to the Shulchan Arukh, Jewish men are required to cover their heads and should not walk more than four cubits without a hat. Wearing a kippa is described as "honoring God". The Mishnah Berurah modifies this ruling, adding that the Achronim established it as a requirement to wear a head covering even when traversing less than four cubits, and even when one is simply standing in place. This applied both indoors as well as out.This ruling is echoed by the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, a concise version of the Shulchan Aruch authored by Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried. He cites a story from the Talmud (Shabbat 156b) about Rav Nachman bar Yitzchok who might have become a thief had his mother not saved him from this fate by insisting that he cover his head, which instilled in him the fear of God.In many communities, boys are encouraged to wear a kippa from a young age in order to ingrain the habit.
Personalized kipot are very special and exclusive favors for your guests attending your happy occasions such as Wedding, Bat Mitzvah, Bar Mitzvah or Brit Mila. We personalize hand crocheted kipot (kippa sruga), satin kipot and "suede look" yarmulkes in Hebrew, English or both. Make sure all your guests remember your Bar/Bat Mitzvah or Wedding. Order NOW and our lovely kipot will adorn all heads at your Simcha! We offer hundreds of styles and colors of kipot, yarmulkes, kippa, kipa, yarmulkas, skull caps, head coverings, Jewish hats, Jewish caps, yamachas (or whatever you call them) for the WHOLE family!
Buy Israel. It is up to the Jewish people around the world to make a concerted effort to support the Israeli economy. We must seek out and purchase Israeli made products. The kippot from Israel benefit the Israeli society and its industries. Buy Israel.
|
CART
