The Jewish national headdress more than once attracted the attention of others. Kipa - what is it? What does this little hat have for a Hasid?
Kipa - what is it?
This word has several notations. Kipa - what is it? In no case should you confuse it with a stack of books or papers, as well as with sports equipment.
So bale - what is it? This word means the headdress of the Jewish population and not only.
It is known that a person takes off his hat in front of him to express his respect for his friend. The Jews do essentially the same thing, but without removing their headgear.
Very often, the pile is called yarmulka. This word is of unknown origin. Scientists point out that it can come from the army language and mean "awe of God."
And yet, a bale - what is it? This headpiece is a small fabric cap, which is a pronounced symbol of the religiosity of the Jews. The law cannot oblige a person to wear a bale. He does this only by observing and respecting traditions.
It should be noted that Orthodox Jews always wear this headgear, traditionalists and conservatives - exclusively only in the synagogue or during meals. Reformers insist on the obligatory covering of the human head with a bale. Women are strictly forbidden to wear it. They can only cover their heads with a handkerchief.
Bale Headdress: A Brief History
There is an opinion that the notorious laws of the Muslim caliph Omar served as an incentive for the adoption of the above cap as a headdress. According to them, Jews were forbidden to wear Muslim turbans. They should cover their heads with other gowns.
Another version claims that the Türks brought Jews a fashion for carrying bales. Scientists insist: it is the second name of this piece of clothing - yermolk - that is translated from the Turkic language as "raincoat".
Only the priests of the Jerusalem temple at first could cover their heads with the above-mentioned garment. But over time, all Jews began to wear a bale not only during prayer, but also in ordinary life. In this they showed their service to God.
Even later, the Jewish sages issued a law according to which the Hasid was not allowed to pass four cubits (this is approximately 2.4 m) without a bale. This custom is gradually greatly strengthened in many communities of this people.
The meaning of bale for a Jew
Translated from the Hebrew language, kipa means the word “top”, “top”. Hasidim believe that this headdress covers a person from above, thus being the highest point within the framework of microcosm.
Kipa Jewish is a symbol of religiosity of every person of this people. Also wearing it is a sign of following traditions and rituals. The celebration of adulthood and other holidays, prayer in the synagogue, eating food, mourning for the dead are an excuse for putting on a bale. Indeed, a man has no right to come to all these events with his head uncovered.
The meaning of wearing a bale is determined by the following explanation:
- The Jew is aware of the existence of God.
- The Jew is aware of the wisdom of the Most High.
- Values it above his head.
Types of Bales
This Jewish headdress often helps determine which religious population group a person comes from:
- of arbitrary color, a round knitted bale is often worn by the Zionists (especially in Israel), therefore they are called the "bale of srugot" (translated as "knitted bale");
- a black headgear of this type indicates that its owner is a believer and strictly observes all the commandments;
- people who wear a hat on top of the bale are called “haredim” in Israel because they are the most religious (they do not remove the bale even during sleep).
There are also other types of the above items:
- the white bale is often worn with a small pompon by representatives of some wealthy Hasidic yards, since they want to hint at their belonging to the study of Kabbalah;
- The above-mentioned hexagonal headgear is worn by supporters of the Chabad movement.
Bale traditions
In modern Israel, it is believed that on great holidays in the synagogue you must go in a white headdress.
A person who wears a bale quite recently usually attaches it comfortably on his head. For example, it does not wear it on the top of its head, as expected, but keeps it on the back of the head.
Jews say that if a bale hangs from your hair or simply rests on a hairpin, then its owner is far from a believer. He put it on by virtue of his official need, and at the first opportunity, he will certainly take it off.
Some Hasidim believe that on a funeral day or Judgment Day, it is necessary to wear a pile of dark color. A hat of this color can be worn everyday. But on holidays on Saturdays it is advisable to wear a white bale.
Very often, some Hasidim wear fur hats during the holidays. They think that covering their heads with bales is not pious enough.
Kipa is a symbol of Jewish believers who observe traditions and rites.