Yarmulke (pronounced Yar mul keh) is the Yiddish name for the Jewish ritual head covering, called a Kippah (meaning dome , plural kippot ) in Hebrew.
When to wear the Yarmulke (Kippa)
Orthodox Jewish males wear a head covering at almost all times, especially in public. If they wear a hat, it is usually covering a Kippah. Other Jewish men wear Kippot during religious observances, when eating, at sacred sites and cemeteries and at events such as weddings and bar mitzvah celebrations. Non Jews may also don Kippot at these events and places, including, for example, when visiting the wailing wall, the Israel National Military Cemetery on Mt. Herzl, and the Yad Vashem memorial.
In some reform and conservative congregations, women wear Kippot as well. Orthodox women wear a head covering for reasons of modesty unrelated to the Kippah.
Origin of the word Yarmulke
Jewish folk tradition relates that the word Yarmulke is a contraction of the Aramaic words Yarei Malka, which mean, fear of the king (God). It may also come from a Polish word, jarmulka, referring to a head covering and possibly of Turkish origin.
Religious law regarding the Yarmulke or Kippah
The custom of Jewish head covering is probably very old, since Israelites on a marble relief of Sennacharib, and ambassadors of king Jehu on a stele of Shalmanesser are depicted with covered heads. However, in the bible it is only recorded that Kohanim (priests) wore head covering (Exodus 28:4). The Talmud (Shabbat 156b) admonishes or recommends that one should cover one s head, in order that the fear of heaven may be upon you. However, the Talmud only mentions the obligation for men to cover their head during prayer (Mishneh Torah, Ahavah, Hilkhot Tefilah 5:5). It is also mentioned that rabbi Honah ben Yehoshua never walked 4 cubits (2 meters) with his head uncovered (kiddushin 31a) because, as he explained, the divine presence is always over my head.
Wearing of the Yarmulke is not a commandment though it is enforced rigorously in synagogues and in places like the wailing wall in Israel. There is no blessing said when putting on a Yarmulke.
Yarmulke Sizes
The size of the Yarmulke varies according to religious observance. Very small Yarmulkes are sometimes worn by those who do not want to emphasize their religious affiliation, but are nonetheless observant. According to Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, a Kippa or Yarmulke should be large enough so it can be seen from four directions.
Yarmulke Styles
Different Jewish communities have developed different varieties or styles for the Yarmulke or Kippah and there are styles appropriate for different events. A Yarmulke can be made of any kosher material (not a shatnez mixture or made from an unkosher animal) including paper, which is used for disposable Yarmulkes, and leather. The plain black Yarmulke is appropriate for all occasions including funerals and mourning. It may be made of cotton, velvet or paper.
Ultraorthodox Jews favor black velvet, usually worn under a hat. At festive events such as bar mitzvas and weddings, white satin or festive black Yarmulkes are often distributed, sometimes inscribed to commemorate the event.
Conservative Jews favor white satin. The Kippah Sruga (crocheted) Yarmulke is identified with the settlers and the followers of Rav Kook, members of the National Religious Party and its supporters. Bukharan and other styles of Yarmulkes are worn by various communities. The Bukharan Kippah is sometimes worn by women in liberal Jewish streams.
Author Resource:
Owner of several Jewish stores, offering wide variety of Judaica gifts such as tallit, tefillin and Mezuzah. http://www.ajudaica.com
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