To Kippah Or Not to Kippah?

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Published: June 2, 2007

Visitor Comments: 18

(18) Foxay, May 5, 2009 1:54 PM

An Insight

I am not Jewish, but it is thanks to videos like this and people taking time to talk about their religion, motivations and experiences that can help us all understand more than we did before, and gain an insight that we won't normlly experience. So, thank you.

(17) C.S, March 5, 2008 3:35 PM

I want to wear one but here in Holland, especially in Rotterdam, they will beat you up for wearing one.

(16) Elam, February 20, 2008 2:22 PM

Grandfather told us.......

My Grandfather told my brother and I many years ago that we wear the kippah so we will be recognized by others and never forget that we are Jews. I have never forgotten who I am. A wonderful read....thank you so much.

(15) Anonymous, June 7, 2007 11:04 AM

The opening question was not answered. I wear a kippah to pray and enter synagogue etc.but am constantly aware of God,s presence and gift in all I see and do.Even as a boy, when I raced away and was going to score in a representative game all that was in my mind was thanks to the Almighty that a Jew was being seen to do this. I have never mentioned this before but I resent the holier than thou attitude of those who wear a kippah

(14) Carie, June 6, 2007 8:14 PM

Men go bald women don't

I think that habits leared earily in age are hard to break maybe the reason for this one is because men go bald and women don't.

(13) Michele, June 6, 2007 6:09 PM

Excellent

My husband started to become frum, all over wearing a kippah at a USY weeklong event, more than 30 years ago. His friends wanted him to take it off after davening mincha on the first day, and his reaction was "why?", we're all Jewish, so why can't we leave them on? Well, 30 years later, his is still firmly planted on his head! And now, he's the father of 4 FFB's, with 2 sons learning in Yeshiva, a daughter teaching in a Yeshiva in Philadelphia, a second daughter who loves to compete in Torah Bowl, and Chidon Tanach, and, what's more, he's a proud Zeidy, with a white beard to match! All because he stubbornly wore that kippah, and eventually came to recognize his "place" in this world!
Thanks for your wonderful video!

(12) Anonymous, June 6, 2007 9:19 AM

Double Standard or Individual Standards?

There are no double standards here. The laws of spiritual purity (tum'ah v'taharah) apply equally to men AND women. Undeniable physical differences between them express themselves in needing the mikveh at different times.

Laws of modesty/humility apply equally to men AND women. Undeniable physical differences between them -- and the way the other one reacts to them -- express themselves in the need to cover different parts of the body.

Men show off their heads â€“ or what's in them. Women show off their bodies. Even a brief, but honest, look at today's most "successful/professional" would reveal that they all dress the part (of women â€“ fashionable and flattering). These are not prejudice comments. As Sergeant Joe Friday would say, "The facts ma'am, just the facts." To deny these, would be to deny each person's individuality and unique contribution to society. It would also be somewhat ungrateful. To hate someone for those differences is bigotry.

(11) Shoshana, June 6, 2007 7:26 AM

I love your explanation

I am a Reform Jew and wear a Kippah most times at shule. Many women also forget that they are not God. It me to always be respectful.

(10) Joey, June 6, 2007 6:44 AM

If you say that certain rules apply to women but not to men (for example, the mikvah), people will say it's sexist against women.

When you say certain rules apply to men but not to women (like the kippah), people will say it's sexist against women.

Oy!

God bless.

(9) Anonymous, June 5, 2007 11:28 PM

Sexist

If any negative trait generally associated with women was explicitly stated as such and was used to explain some custom, Jewish or not, it would not be tolerated at all and would be deemed as sexist. However, it seems that double standards aren't leaving anytime soon.

A better explanation for why men are required to wear kippot and women are not required (but not prohibited from doing so as some OBSERVANT women do) could be simply the truth that was cautiously avoided: rabbinic Judaism focued on the male, not the female. End of story.

(8) Orrin, June 5, 2007 8:12 PM

Concerned Male

Some men, like me, avoid wearing a kippah in order to hide. We never know when a non-Jew will attack, either verbally physically.

I am concerned that anyone would ignore this explanation and instead generalize that "men" are more arrogant (or, for that matter, less arrogant) than "women". I respectfully suggest that Jewish men and Jewish women need each other, and that unity is better than division.

(7) Richard, June 5, 2007 4:03 PM

Lori does it again

Lori never fails to make my eyes well up every time I experience her videos. Sometimes, more than a little, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. In fact, I'm proud to. She has the soothing voice and kup of maternal Yiddishkeit. She is a living blessing!!!

(6) DR Pressler, June 5, 2007 3:47 PM

Knowing who's THE boss... With a kippah?

Sorry. I beg to agree to disagree. I don't need a kippah on my head to remind me that everything I do and everything I have is thanks to the Creator. It's not the ring on my finger that reminds me I'm married and it's not the kippah that reminds me WHO and WHAT I am. With all good intentions I believe you missed the point. I wear neither but remain yours truly a husband of 35+ years and a VERY proud Israeli/Jew of 63 years.

(5) Barry, June 5, 2007 2:35 PM

It's a Keepah!

As usual, a very meaningful video. Not to be negative, but I have met men with kippot who are arrogant. So whether one wears it or not, it's what's behind the custom that is most important.

(4) Daniel, June 5, 2007 12:29 PM

Made me remember

Lori made me remember why I used to always wear my kippah. I stopped some years ago for whatever reason. Thanks for reminding me why I should start again.

(3) BRIAN MAY, June 5, 2007 10:08 AM

Lori Fan Club

If you had a fan club I would be your number one fan as I find your short video's so inspiring and uplifting to understand my Jewish roots.

(2) Benjamin, June 5, 2007 8:28 AM

Good Head-Start

Very straight-forward approach to describing the practice that really resonated with me. I also liked the "good head-start" -- double entendre intended or not! I look forward to seeing this blog weekly, as it always inspire me in many ways. Great job!

(1) Anonymous, June 5, 2007 1:34 AM

Lori is terrific!!! Listening to her is like talking with a good friend...

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About the Author

Mrs. Lori Palatnik

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Lori Palatnik is a writer and Jewish educator who has appeared on television and radio, and is the author of "Friday Night and Beyond: The Shabbat Experience Step-By-Step," "Remember My Soul - What to do in Memory of a Loved One," and co-author of "Gossip: 10 Pathways to Eliminate It From Your Life and Transform Your Soul." She is a much sought-after international speaker, having lectured in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Central America, South America, South Africa and Israel, including featured talks at Yale, Brown and Penn. She lives in the Washington D.C. area, with her husband, Rabbi Yaakov Palatnik. Lori is the Founder of The Jewish Women's Renaissance Project, an international initiative that brings over 1,000 women to Israel each year from ten different countries on highly subsidized programs to inspire them with the beauty and wisdom of their heritage. She is the busy mother of five children, ages 24 to 14; and her son, Zev, just finished serving as a sharpshooter in the IDF. Her weekly video blog, "Lori Almost Live" is a popular feature on aish.com, viewed by over 50,000 people each month.

Follow Lori on Twitter, @LoriAlmostLive

To Kippah Or Not to Kippah?

Why men wear them.

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