Why do Jews wear a Yarmulka ( Skullcap)? Why do different people or different communities wear different Yarmulkas. Where else can I find information about this subject? I’d like to present this to my students.
I’ll present some ideas on the subject and you can use whichever of them you find useful:
We are told by the Torah (Lev. 18; 3 and Lev. 20; 23) not to follow certain practices of the non-Jewish culture. Since it is the custom of non-Jews to uncover their heads in their homes and places of worship, then we are obligated to cover our heads (Taz on Shulchan Aruch, Orech Chaim 8:3). Even if many non-Jews no longer have such a custom (although plenty do), under normal circumstances, this still applies (Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, IG”M Orech Chaim 4; 2, 1; 1).
Furthermore, Maimonides (Laws of Avoda Zara 11:1) applies this commandment to the way we dress. Now, since most Jews (even Orthodox) generally dress very similar to non-Jews, having one article of clothing that is clearly different might well represent an fulfillment of this commandment.
Further still, a Yarmulka is like an advertisement to the world that you’re Jewish and interested in G-d’s Torah. That might present difficulties from time to time, but it’s also really useful: Like my friend who once stopped his car on the side of a highway in New Jersey. Almost before he could get out of the door no less than three “Orthodox” cars had stopped to offer help (actually, as he says, he was just looking for an emergency bathroom).
The Talmud (Kiddushin 29b) implies that covering one’s head reminds us that the Divine Presence is “above” our heads and that we therefore must act accordingly. It has been suggested that a covering could also serve to keep us serious and focused on our jobs as Jews and human beings – aiding fear of heaven (Maharsha to the Talmud in Shabbat 156b).
I suppose the many types of Yarmulkas reinforce some of these ideas: just like a Yarmulka allows us to publicly identify as Jews, so do particular styles of Yarmulka allow us to identify with particular parts of the Orthodox world. Assuming that the politics of such distinctions doesn’t overwhelm and smother the Torah feelings, this can be a very positive thing!
With best regards,
Rabbi Boruch Clinton
[Reposted from the archives]