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A yarmulke ( Yiddish יאַרמלקע yarmlke) or Kippah ( Hebrew כפה kippāh) is a small cloth cap worn by Jews.

Traditionally it was worn only by men, but in modern times the push for equality between the sexes in the practice of Judaism has lead some women to wear yarmulkes. Some Jews only wear yarmulkes while praying; others wear yarmulkes the entire day, making sure not to walk more than four cubits without head covering (especially outside). The basis for wearing a head covering is a story in the Talmud (tractate Shabbat).

Often, the color and fabric of the yarmulke can be a sign of adherence to a specific religious movement. The Israeli Religious Zionist community is often referred to by the name kipot srugot כיפות סרוגות, literally "woven yarmulkes". Similarly, some Haredi sects are referred to by the name kipot shkhorot כיפות שחורות, literally "black yarmulkes".

1 Etymology

The etymology of yarmulke is unclear. Some linguists (e.g. Max Vasmer) maintain that the Yiddish word is derived (via Ukrainian or Polish) from the Turkic yagmurluk, meaning 'rainwear'. Other linguists (e.g. Herbert Zeiden) regard this hypothesis as untenable but still believe a Turkic origin is likely, suggesting that the first part of the word may come from yarim, a Turkic adjective meaning 'half', while the second part may come from qap, a Turkic word for 'cap', 'shell', 'enclosure', or 'container'.

Traditionally, yarmulke is considered to have originated from the Aramaic phrase "yarei mei-elokah" (in awe of the Lord), in keeping with the principle that the yarmulke is supposed to reflect someone's fear of heaven. Or perhaps, "yira malkah" (fear of the King).

In Hebrew languageThe Modern Hebrew language is a Semitic language of the Afro-Asiatic language family. What makes it unique is that the original Bible, the Torah, by Orthodox Jews held to be recorded in the time of Moses 3,300 years ago, was written in Biblical Classical, the word "Kippah" means domeA dome is a common structural element of architecture that resembles the hollow upper half of a sphere. Domes do not have to be perfectly spherical in cross-section, however; it is sufficient that they simply be curved surfaces. A saucer dome is a dome se.

Current mayor of JerusalemCapitals in Asia For alternate uses see Jerusalem (disambiguation Jerusalem ( Modern Hebrew: Yerushalayim Biblical Hebrew: Arabic: al-Quds see also Names of Jerusalem) is an ancient Middle Eastern city of key importance to the religions of Judaism, Christ, Uri Lupolianski wearing a typical Haredi yarmulka

2 Why do Jews wear Kippah?

Rabbi Shay Piron from "Kipa" website answers:

The source of weaing Kippah or any other head-cover is found in the GemaraThe Gemara are the Rabbinical commentaries and analysis on the Mishnah, undertaken in the Academies of Palestine and Babylon over a 300 year period to about 500CE. The Mishnah is the core text, and the gemara is the analysis and commentary which “complete in Masechet Kidushin. There it is writen that wearing Kipa is a virtue of piety ( חסידות ). That way, a person expresses that "God ( Shekhina) dwells above my head" ( "שכינה למעלה מראשי" ).

In days where self-satisfaction takes so much prominence, and the emphasis on the "me" gets out of proportion, we need to remember what is above us.

Though, the 19th in sign 8 of responsaNote: This is based on an entry from the 1906 public domain Jewish Encyclopedia''. This needs some work The responsa literature known in Hebrew as Sheelot U-teshuvot ("questions and answers"), is the body of written decisions and rulings given by rabbis t או"ח bring the single opinion that wearing Kipa is "deoreyata" ( דאורייתא ), but it is not the opinion of the majority of the posek Rabbis (arbitars).

The arbitars of our generation, and it is recommended to see and study Rabbi Ovadia Yosef answers in the responsa book " Yechavei Da'ath ", added another layer to the weaing of Kipa. Today, the Kipa is a symbol of a religious man. It has an expression of belonging, of identifying (with Judaism), as well as an expression for accepting the burden of Mitzvot derived from the fact that we are adherent to the Torah and its commandments ( שומרי תורה ומצוות ).

And if you say: why give so much weight to symbols?

Behold, in the days of my life I saw that unimportant symbols, are symbols that no one identifies with. For some reason, I never met a paratrooper who give up on his red boots, or the pilot who give up wearing "Flight wings" or the professor who will omit his title. All of these symbols earned their status, from the power of the great investment, effort and perspiration that people spent to achieve them.

The Kipa is a major factor in the joining of the indivdual ( יחיד , yachid ) into the collective ( יחד , yachad ), into the religious public. Not only piety there is in the Kipa, but also an element of "unit's pride" and belonging that helps the individual to travel in the path of a wandering world, who seek its way and indentity.

Need to be noted, that this answer doesn't relate to the question of wearing Kipa during ritual blessings, prayers and study of Torah.

(orginal Hebrew text)