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Types and
variation
In the Middle Ages in Europe, the
distinctive Jewish headgear was the
Jewish hat, a full hat with a brim and a
central point or stalk. Originally used
by choice among Jews to distinguish
themselves, it was later made compulsory
in some places by Christian governments
as a discriminatory measure. In the
early 19th century in the United States,
rabbis often wore a scholar's cap (large
saucer-shaped caps of cloth, like a
beret) or a Chinese skullcap. Other Jews
of this era wore black pillbox-shaped
kippot.
Often the color and fabric of the kippah
can be a sign of adherence to a specific
religious movement. Knitted or crocheted
kippot, known as kippot serugot, tend to
be worn by Religious Zionists and the
Modern Orthodox,[13] who also wear suede
or leather kippot. The hit Israeli TV
series, Srugim, which has been compared
to the U.S. TV series Friends, takes its
name from the knitted kippot worn by the
main male characters.
Members of most Haredi groups usually
wear black velvet or cloth kippot. In
general, the larger the kippah, the more
observant the wearer.[14] By contrast,
the smaller the kippah, the more modern
and liberal the person is.
More recently, kippot have been observed
made in the colors of sports teams,
especially football. In the United
States, children's kippot with cartoon
characters or themes such as Star Wars
are popular. (In response to this trend,
some Jewish schools have banned kippot
with characters that do not conform to
traditional Jewish values.[16]) Kippot
have been inscribed on the inside as a
souvenir for a celebration (bar/bat
mitzvah or wedding). Kippot for women
are being made and worn. A special baby
kippah has two strings on each side to
fasten it and is often used in a brit
milah ceremony.
Samaritan Jews once wore distinctive
blue head coverings to separate them
from Jews who wore white ones, but today
they more commonly wear fezes with
turbans similar to that of Sephardi Jews
from the Middle East and North Africa.
Today, Samaritans do not usually wear
head coverings except during prayer,
Sabbath, and religious festivals. |
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