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Why Jewish People Wear Certain Articles Of Clothing

By: Sintilia Miecevole, Thu Mar 2nd, 2006 10:30:36 PM

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.

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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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