What is a Kippah?

A Kippah (in plural Kippot or Kippahs) is the Hebrew word for skullcap and know in Yiddish as Yarmulke. This is a thin rounded skullcap worn by Jewish men and boys and in sometimes by both men and women in Conservative and Reform communities. Agreeing to Jewish law men are required to cover their heads when saying God's name when they are praying or reciting a blessing also while learning Torah or in Synagogue.

The source of the tradition to wear a Kippah is in the Talmud which is the central text for Jewish law ethics and customs. Agreeing to the Talmud in the chapter dealing with the Shabbat it say: Cover your head in order that the fear of heaven may be upon you.". That is the fancy that Jewish men and boys wearing the Kippah, however from the Talmud point of view and from Biblical point of view there is no spoton obligation to wear a Kippah and if so the Talmud requires to do that only in a time of prayer.

Tallit

Over the years this custom of wearing a Kippah became mandatory and Agreeing to this custom a Jewish men and boys should wear the Kippah at all times.

Another explanation for wearing a Kippah is given by the Kabbalistic Hassidic tradition that says that we Jewish habitancy cover their head like God is covering us with his divine palm and Kippah and Kaf (Palm) are 2 similar words. There are some more explanation for wearing a Kippah like identification of the Jewish habitancy and recognition that God is above all mankind.

There is no obligation to the way that a Kippah should be develop however there are several types of Kippahs. The Hassidic and more religious Jewish wear black velvet Kippah, the main and the middle of the orthodox stream wear Knitted Kippah and Satin white Kippahs are for Holidays and weddings.

There is a inequity in the middle of the custom of women in the Reform and Conservative communities to wear a kippah like the men and the Jewish tradition of married women to be with their heads covered. This custom for women comes from a total dissimilar source that the married women should all the time cover her head to assert her modesty.

Many Jewish habitancy don't wear a Kippah however, even the habitancy who don't wear Kippah, will put a Kippah as a respect to a holy place a synagogue or in a funeral or a Jewish prominent event.

What is a Kippah?