To Kippah or not to Kippah

[Mark]

I struggled a moment with where to put this post. It may seem obvious that it should go under "Practical Observance"; but the kippah is not a command of . It is a Jewish tradition. There is energy on both the Jewish and gentile side that, of all the identifiers of the Judaic faith, this one should remain Jewish- that gentiles should not wear a kippah.

Yet, the purpose of the kippah is not to identify with the Hebrew ethnicity. It is to identify with the holiness of Adonai. Does this not make this tradition appropriate for ones grafted in to this Jewish faith in the Messiah?

[Mishkan]

mark said:

I struggled a moment with where to put this post. It may seem obvious that it should go under "Practical Observance"; but the kippah is not a command of . It is a Jewish tradition. There is energy on both the Jewish and gentile side that, of all the identifiers of the Judaic faith, this one should remain Jewish- that gentiles should not wear a kippah.

Yet, the purpose of the kippah is not to identify with the Hebrew ethnicity. It is to identify with the holiness of Adonai. Does this not make this tradition appropriate for ones grafted in to this Jewish faith in the Messiah?

Mark,

I wrestled with this, myself, at one time. For the past 10 years, or so, I have settled in my mind that the purpose for the kippah is primarily community identification. Since I identify as part of the Jewish community, I find it appropriate to wear it at all times. It also serves as a reminder while I am out and about that God is, indeed, watching. Thus, the explanation that we wear the kippah as a sign of our submission to Hashem also works for me.

Let me quote a bit from the Wikipedia article on the kippah. It contains some useful information for us:

The sources for wearing a kippah 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 kippah is a 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 , Ahavah, Hilkhot Tefilah 5:5).

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yarmulke

At first blush, the writer of this article seems confused. However, I think that is only because he is trying to bring as much information as possible in a concise manner. Let me see if I can help clarify what is written here.

First, there is clearly no commandment, even among rabbinic teachers, that one must always wear a yarmulke. However, there are some who conclude on the basis of Rabbi Huna's example that we should make such a practice our own.

On the other hand, there is a common rabbinic dictum that, any practice that has been implemented for an extended period takes on the force of halakhic regulation. That's why many would conclude that, despite the absence of any commandment in either the or the Talmud, the practice of wearing a kippah has taken on the nature of halakha.

So, I conclude thusly:

• The wearing of a kippah has become a halakhic positive commandment, through common practice and tradition.
  
• As a member of the Jewish community (though born Gentile), I accept this commandment upon myself, for the sake of honoring both God and the Jewish community.

I am a strong believer in the concept of "one law for all", so I am disinclined to make distinctions between Jewish and Gentile practice within the Messianic community. I consider this one of the consequences of the "grafting in" concept.

Shalom,

Mishkan David

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

One will also find if they visit the local Jewish synagogue that it does not matter if you are Jew or Gentile...as all are expected to wear a kippah when entering the synagogue. I wear one that is more practical and actually acts more like a hat as it covers most of my head. I don't wear it all the time, but when ever I get a chance (especially when I am in a hurry), I put it on. I will also usually wear it on Sabbath and during the Holy Days to set apart the day as special even more. Even in Judaism there is difference of opinion on how often one is to wear a kippah. There is a great website that I recommend to everyone that makes custom kippah's by a Messianic sister. She has made me a few custom kippah's that I have really enjoyed. Here is the link:

www.zipporahsthimble.com

Here is a picture of the style I am talking about

They have all kinds of great styles and not just the plain one you see above.

Check it out!

[Mark]

When I've been asked concering it, I describe the kippah as a tool- a reminder for myself personally of the relationship between Adonai and myself. It represents my humility before Him, that He is higher than I. It represents His blessing, as a father puts his hand on the head of a child when offering a blessing, so the kippah is like a reminder of the hand of Adonai resting upon my head.

I was wearing it last week at work because I felt a need to be in close communion to Adonai- I had much to pray about and I have the sort of job where I can devote a lot of my energy to prayer even when on the job.

I was sitting in the lunchroom when a fellow walked by and asked, "What's with the hat. Is this like the last day of Ramadan or something?"

I said, "Come here, young man. We need to talk!"

[Rick]

I am a strong believer in the concept of "one law for all", so I am disinclined to make distinctions between Jewish and Gentile practice within the Messianic community. I consider this one of the consequences of the "grafting in" concept.

This is my view also.

I wear one that is more practical and actually acts more like a hat as it covers most of my head. I don't wear it all the time, but when ever I get a chance (especially when I am in a hurry), I put it on. I will also usually wear it on Sabbath and during the Holy Days to set apart the day as special even more.

Ditto here also, Zipporah's merchandise is of good quality, I highly recommend her.

a reminder for myself personally of the relationship between Adonai and myself. It represents my humility before Him, that He is higher than I. It represents His blessing, as a father puts his hand on the head of a child when offering a blessing, so the kippah is like a reminder of the hand of Adonai resting upon my head.

:Dand
It is reassuring to know that others are of the same mind as I am in regards to this, something I've wondered about, just never asked.

Rick

[Chizuk Emunah]

It took me a while before I started wearing one all the time, but now it's second nature. I too believe in the Talmudic principle that a man should not walk more than 2 meters outside his home without a covering on his head. And like you guys, it serves a a dual purpose for me. 1. It is a physical reminder that HaShem is always above me, watching me like a Father does his son. 2. It enables me to readily identify with my people, Am Yisrael.

Shalom u'verachot

[Blake]

1Co 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of G'd, but the woman is the glory of the man.

Headcoverings for prayer must not have been in practice at this time, and if they were Paulos and his community must not have approved of them.
Wasn't the use of the kippah in prayer a tradition picked up from Mohammadans by Jews in the Turkish empire?

[Nachshon]

I never wore a kippa until recently. A Jewish friend of mine asked me why I didn't wear one. Not because he thought of it as a commandment, but because he saw it as a way of identifying oneself as being Jewish. (don't get me wrong, he wouldn't object to a Gentile wearing one.) He saw it as a sign to the world that, hey, I'm one with my Jewish brothers.

Blake, an interesting passage, but I'm not sure Sha'ul is speaking literally. If he was, that would mean that the Kohanim were commanded to be at variance with this teaching. I think Sha'ul is speaking metaphorically, of being under another's authority.

Shalom,
David

[Mark]

Hi Blake,

You bring up a very good point... as long as you're reading the text in English. In Greek the word used in 1st Corinthians 11:6 is kata-kaloopto, speeaking specifically of the woman's head garment that hangs down the side or over her face (i.e. the veil) so it doesn't specifically apply to the kippah. However, 1st Corinthians 11:3 may just as easily suggest that the kippah is valid- a different garment but equally demonstrating submission to authority.

It is somewhat inconsistent to assume otherwise since the High Priest was not to approach God without a covering on his head (Leviticus 21:10).

[Pioneer]

blake said:

1Co 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of G'd, but the woman is the glory of the man.

Headcoverings for prayer must not have been in practice at this time, and if they were Paulos and his community must not have approved of them.
Wasn't the use of the kippah in prayer a tradition picked up from Mohammadans by Jews in the Turkish empire?

I am no scholar and have no scholarly advice, but check out the word you quoted for men, it is "kata" and it is my understanding that the first and main meaning is "down", then the end of the verses "1Co 11:14 Does not nature itself teach you that for a man to wear long hair is degrading to him,!
I believe the context is wearing a veil over a man's long hair as was the custom in Pagan Temples.

Just one man's oppinion.

It is for the Spirit to convict you.

Shalom

[JohnD]

Though I am new here, I have looked into this.

I read the two Jewish Books of Why...

In them there are two schools of thought:

1. head covering was an ancient practice
2. head covering was a recent practice

Not very conclusive.

I pestered the poor Rabbi with questions...

"If Jews are to pray with their heads covered then what was Rabbi Sha'ul going on about in 1 Corinthians 11:4-6?"

The poor overworked fellow gave me a shpeel about hair length and how the Catholic monks took it to extremes and plucked out hair to "be holy."

Then I investigated it calling upon the Holy Spirit to teach me. Understand I am making no "thus sayeth HaShem..." statements. I only state points of view or evidence for readers to consider or oppose or contribute to. My claim to fame is being but a beggar who has found bread... and my posts are aimed at other beggars showing them where I found the bread.

Like most traditions, there is some basis in fact or historic event. The various points in history, for example, that G-d interacted with humanity or did the miraculous. Traditions and legends and lore have been handed down through the various religions and ethnicities ever since. Take the great flood for example and the many versions of its account through the various races and religions.

There were all of those... and there is the eyewitness account of the L-rd as dictated to his scribe Moses.

I believe it was with Moses that the head covering tradition started, but it bore little resemblence to the modern tradition.

Exodus 34:29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. 30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. 32 Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the LORD had given him on Mount Sinai. 33 When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. 34 But whenever he entered the LORD’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, 35 they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD.

Note that the veil came off when speaking with the L-rd, in keeping with Sha'ul's statement in 1 Corinthians 11:4-6.

How did the tradition get so backward? Traditions tend to be what mere men think they ought to be. To all Moses appeared holy and righteous to the crowds for veiling himself. So in their thinking, how much more righteous would it be to be veiled in G-d's presence.

And when the renegade Saul of Tarshish said believers ought to pray with heads uncovered, to do the opposite was all the more pleasurable to those who rejected our L-rd Yeshua.

And over time the veil became a small skull cap bobby pinned to the crown of the head.

In Messianic circles it is the tendency to mimmick the non-Messianic Jewish community (not considering that modern Judaica may well not even resemble 1st Century Judaism... and non-Messianic Judaism has been based on that premise ever since).

Things to consider. The very yarmulke one wears to appear Jewish may well be an artcle of defiance against the sect of the Natsar.

[JohnD]

We are sometimes the victims of our own superstitions.

Recently my wedding band had been cutting into my finger from swelling. I feared taking it off lest any of the opposite sex get the wrong signals... but then it occurred to me, I am a married man whether or not I wear a ring or am perceived of as being married by women or not.

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

The Hebrew word "kippah" means "dome" or "covering", and is connected to the root word, "kippur" which means "atonement" also connected to the root "kawfar" meaning to cover, forgive, or be merciful. When I wear a "kippah" on my head it reminds me that I am covered by the blood of Mashiach and to have respect for Avinu Melchenu b'hashamayim (our Father and our King in Heaven). Perhaps some of the sages had this in mind when wearing a kippah (whether they communicated it in writing, or not). Surely I am not the only one that has come to these conclusions throughout history. I do wear a kippah that actually covers my entire top of my skull. I own several of them, but here is what one of them looks like. Check it out:



This Skull Cap is larger than the common Kippah, this dome cap (Kufi Style) is designed to cover the entire top of the head. Zipporah can make one to your exact size. Here is her website:
www.zipporahreshel.com

Here is a picture of me (on right) with a white one on Yom Teruah (Rosh HaShanah)



To the left is my friend and Messianic Jewish brother wearing the common smaller kippah.

Shalom chaverim,

Reuel

[JohnD]

Nice Menorah. How do you get the candle wax off it? We do a daily devotion in Proverbs with our seven candle menorah and it looks like a stalagmite by the end of the month.

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

Very hot water will melt it like butter.

Shalom,

Reuel