Hair Covering In Judaism

The Jewish tradition of hair covering is a central theme of Cling To Me Like Ivy.

The Kippah
Jewish men, whether married or not, usually cover their heads. The most common head covering is the Kippah (skull cap), also known as the Yarmulka. Most Jewish men wear something on their heads at almost all times, while some cover their heads only when performing some sort of religious act or when eating. The exact nature of this practice and how binding it is is a matter of dispute among Jewish authorities. Wearing a hat is not required by Jewish law, and those who wear a heat always wear a Kippah underneath. However there are some Rabbis, expecially in Hasidic (ultra Orthodox) Judaism who require a double head covering of Kippah and hat during prayer.

Female Hair Coverings
In addition, Jewish law or Halacha requires married women to cover their hair. The most common hair coverings in the Haredi community are the Snood (a type of hood), the Tichel ( headscarf) and the Sheitel (wig). Some women wear a hat or beret; younger women often wear baseball caps and bandannas when dressed casually, and some wear bright and colourful scarves tied in a number of ways. A style of ‘half wig’ known as a Fall has become increasingly common in many segments of Modern and Heredi Orthodox communities. It is usually worn either with a hat or headband.

History
Wearing a wig is a fairly modern Jewish practice. Before the 19th Century, proper Jewish women covered their hair with shawls or veils. In feudal times, some women completely shaved their heads to detract from their appearance and out off predatory landlords who had the right to claim a bride’s virginity before the groom did. Toady, some women who are Hasidic (an Orthodox sect) still shave their heads as an added measure of propriety. In the main however, women either pin their hair up or cut it short and wear a wig.

Observance of the law of wearing a wig was very rare among Modern Orthodox women a generation ago (exceot in synagogue), but younger generations are increasingly taking the practice upon themselves. The Talmud teaches that a woman’s hair exudes sensual energy, and that covering it ensures a married woman’s modesty. But the Talmud also obliges a wife to care for her appearance, so though a hat or scarf will do, many Orthodox women favour wigs, the more natural looking the better.

Modesty And Privacy
In Jewish culture, modesty has nothing to do with being unattractive. It is more a means of creating privacy. As there is a belief that beauty is a gift from God, Jewish tradition encourages both men and women to care for their appearance and always look presentable. The Jewish tradition encourages modesty not in order to detract from physical beauty, but rather to channel beauty and attractiveness for within marriage. By covering her hair, the married woman makes a statement: “I am not available. You can see me but I am not open to the public.” The wig acheives this effect exactly, because a wig allows a woman to cover all her hair, while maintining her attractive appearance. She can be proud of the way she looks without compromising her privacy. And even if her wig looks so real as to be mistaken for natural hair, she knows that no one is looking at her real hair. There are those who question, given the codes of modesty that Orthodox Jewish women abide by, whether it is a contradiction to wear a wig, especially a stylish one.

Conservative and Reform Judaism does not generally require women to wear head coverings. Some Conservative synagogues will ask that married women cover their heads and some liberal Conservative synagogues suggest that women, married or not, wear head coverings similar to those worn by men. Some insist on this not for modesty, but as a feminist gesture of equality. Almost all Conservative synagogues require men to wear a head covering (usually a Kippah), but in Reform synagogues there is often no such requirement.

Picture from BBC website