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Why Jews Wear Certain Articles of Clothing
If you’re not Jewish, you may not
understand why some Jews style their hair and dress
in the manner they do. Their traditional style dress
is based on the Torah, the first five books of their
Bible. Often by choosing to dress in that manner, it
is a public affirmation that they’ve chosen to
follow the commands of the Torah.
For example, in the Christian Bible,
there is a book of Leviticus. Jews don’t have Leviticus
in their Bible; their book has a different name. However
Leviticus 19, when translated, reflects commandments
to not “round the corners of your head, neither
shall you destroy the corners of your beard”. There
are also other prohibitions concerning the shaving of
hair. This is why some Jews (Orthodox, “true Jew”
or Torah Jew) wear long sideburns. Some Jews wear long
hair because they interpret the law to mean that one
may not shave the temple at all. Shaving or trimming
the beard is not permitted on Shabbat (day of rest)
and other Holy Days.
Also, there are some Jews who wear a
beard, sideburns and some articles of clothing simply
because they want to appear Jewish. By dressing in this
manner, Jews present themselves and attain validation
as would be received while wearing a uniform or even
as some Christians wear cross jewelry.
Another tradition for some Jews is to
wear black clothes. Early church laws demanded that
Jews wear black at all times. These laws required each
social class to wear clothes appropriate to their rank.
In the eighteenth century, by law, Jews were non-persons
and had to wear black clothes so they could be identified
at once. Although that law has been long since abolished,
some Jews regard black clothes as an expression that
means “fearing heaven.” Black is worn so as
to place distance between the wearer and everyone else.
Other items many Orthodox Jews wear
include special belts and hats. A prayer belt to indicate
that the wearer separates his upper body from his lower
body as the head is the location of all that is inspired
while our bottom serves lesser purposes. Many men also
wear a black hat or a fur lined hat. The particular
style may vary according to the European origin of a
sect. All true Jewish men wear a skull cap all day.
This cap is called a yamaca. The purpose is to show
respect for God by separating themselves from Him by
wearing a hat or cap at all times.
Jews don’t consider wearing their
clothing or hair a certain way to be a prohibition or
a rule that they have to follow; but rather, an honor
to be able to share in the customs. Now that you know
what some of the symbols represent, you know that the
Jews dress in that manner because they are celebrating
their religion.
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