The kippa: five things you may not know about it

The kippa:
five things you may not know about it

Kippa

What it means?

Kippa

“Dome” in Hebrew. As an American Jew born in the 1950s, I grew up calling it a “yarmulke”,
which is Yiddish and may have come from the Aramaic phrase “yarei mei-elokah” (‘in awe of the Lord’).
Or from “yira malkah” (‘fear of the King’). Or from a Turkic word for ‘rainwear’.

Kippa

It’s a “recent” invention?

Kippa

The kippa was the smaller, easier-to-wear replacement for the cumbersome hats worn
by Jewish men in the Middle Ages – and still donned by Chasidic men today (who wear kippot under them)
– much to the delight of tourists in Jerusalem, and writers of screenplays on comical Jewish families.

Interestingly enough, Reformed Judaism originally rejected wearing the kippa at serviced. Antiquated custom.

Kippa

Wearing it –
or any head covering –
was not generally required by the Torah or Talmud or the Halakah (Jewish law)

Kippa

In fact, a reading of these works gives rise to the impression that
a man’s covering of his head was compulsory only in times of mourning or other such situations

Kippa

There are no religious requirements as to its size or design

Kippa

Although such definitely have meanings.
A crocheted kippa with a restrained design indicates that its bearer is a Conservative,
Modern Orthodox or Zionist Jew.
My colorfully-hued kippot tell the world that I am a Reformed Jew – and proud of it.

Kippa

It is worn by all genders

Kippa

At least in a growing number of non-Orthodox congregations in the USA and elsewhere.
In their synagogues, wearing a kippa at services – or not – is a matter of personal choice.