The Purpose of the Kipot

The sources for wearing kipot 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 Yamakas is a Torah 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 Jew is required to cover his head is during prayer (Mishne Torah, Ahavah, Hilkhot Tefilah 5:5).

Reasons given for wearing a kippah today include: * recognition that God is "above" humankind, *"acceptance" of the 613 mitzvot (commandments), *"identification" with the Jews.

Some have a custom of wearing two head coverings, typically a kippa and a cap on top, for Kabbalistic reasons; the two coverings correspond to two levels of intellect, or two levels in the fear of God. The High Priest of the Temple in Jerusalem, the Kohen Gadol, also used to wear a woolen kippa under his priestly cap (Talmud Chulin 138a).

Traditionally kipot were worn only by men (women covered their heads more completely with scarves, hats, or wigs), but in modern times the push for equality between the sexes in the practice of Judaism has led some non-Orthodox women to also wear kipot. Some Jews wear kippot only while praying, making blessings, or studying Jewish religious texts; more traditional Jews wear kippot the entire day, making sure not to walk more than four cubits (about 2 m) without a head covering, especially outside.

Any head covering is acceptable according to halakha (Jewish law); a kippah is simply a convenient alternative due to its compactness and low weight, though it has become identified as a symbol of Jewishness in the last century. Many Orthodox males alternatively wear more conventional headwear in other social settings. However, in American cities with large populations of observant Jews, the kippah is more socially acceptable in indoor places where Gentiles normally remove their hats, such as schools, office buildings, courtrooms, etc.



Often, the color and fabric of the kippah can be a sign of adherence to a specific religious movement. The Israeli Religious Zionist community is often referred to by the name kippot srugot (Hebrew כיפות סרוגות), literally "knitted kippot," though they are typically crocheted. American Modern Orthodox Jews typically wear either knitted kippot or black, leather-made kippot. Similarly, some Haredi sects are referred to by the name kipot shkhorot (Hebrew כיפות שחורות), literally "black kippot". Kippot shkhorot are usually sewn of black fabric and often made larger than kippot srugot, particularly those worn outside Israel. More recently, kippot in the colours of a sports team supported by the wearer, especially football, have been observed. In the United States, children's kippot with cartoon characters or themes such as Star Wars are popular. (In response to this trend, some Jewish schools have banned kippot with characters that do not conform to traditional Jewish values.) Some Breslov Hasidim, most notably the followers of the late Rabbi Yisroel Ber Odesser, wear a large white knitted yarmulke with the Na Nach Nachma mantra on it.