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Hasidic Garb

Question: Is there is difference in appearance between Hasidic and Orthodox Jews? The question came up at work about who wears the longer hair, curls around the ears, etc. Forgive the layman terminology but while I am Jewish I have been out of practice for awhile.

Answer: Thank you for your excellent question. Generally speaking, being a Hasidic Jew is a type of Orthodox Jew. Being Hasidic means one is a devotee of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (1698-1760), and usually one of the Hasidic dynasties that grew out of his followers, or his followers’ followers, etc. Hasidism is a spiritual revivalist movement in Judaism, stressing joy, recognizing G-d in enjoying life’s gifts, etc. This movement began in what is presently the Ukraine. Although it was somewhat controversial and not universally accepted, it quickly spread as a popular spiritual movement across Eastern Europe, particularly in Poland, Hungary, and Russia. Today Jews from all backgrounds identify with Hasidism, but mostly those from Eastern European descent.

Essentially, Hasidism has very little to do with how one dresses, but more with one’s philosophy. However, most Hasidic Jews, particularly those from larger Hasidic communities, have taken it upon themselves to preserve the styles that were common in Jewish communities in those parts of Europe where their dynasties began. These forms of dress were not originally Hasidic per se, but rather common among most Jews of those times in those locations. Eventually, the Czarist regime in Russia, which ruled parts of Poland and Lithuania as well, outlawed traditional Jewish attire, which led to most non-Hasidic Jews, including the very Orthodox, to abandon these styles. Many Hasidic Jews, such as the Lubavitcher Hasidim, also abandoned those styles in accordance with the Russian civil laws. Thus many Hasidic Jews do not have these traditional clothes, whereas others do. Often they have replaced the older fashions with newer ones, which still may seem old-fashioned by today’s standards. However, many non-Hasidic Jews, particularly those whose families moved to Jerusalem before the Czarist decree, still maintain those fashions that today are mostly worn only by Hasidic Jews.

The traditional Hasidic style is generally to have very short hair, except for the sides of the head which are left long and often curled. They may be cut, but not shaven off. The rest of the hair on the head is usually shaven off or cut very short by the most traditional Hasidic Jews, according to Kabbalistic teachings about hair. The side locks or curls are called “Payos” which means “corners of the head”. Many non-Hasidic Jews also have Payos, usually worn behind the ear in a less conspicuous manner. Yemenite Jews, who maintain very ancient customs, perhaps dating back to Biblical times, also have the long side curls. Some Hasidic Jews, such as the Lubavitcher Hasidim, do not have long Payos. Others wear them behind their ears or under their yarmulke. Generally speaking, Hasidic Jews never cut their beards (some do, but this is not the traditional way). Some other Orthodox Jews also keep this practice, as do the above-mentioned Yemenites who maintain the ancient practices.

All the best,
Rabbi Joseph Kolakowski
Richmond, VA

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