A Kippah, or yarmulke, is a type of head covering worn in order to recite blessings or prayers. It also serves as a reminder and sign of honor to God.
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Practical Guidelines for Head CoveringsCOMMENTARY
Practical Guidelines for Head Coverings
COMMENTARY
The Chafetz Chaim provides practical solutions for covering one's head during blessings and Torah study, even in extenuating circumstances. The Mishnah Berurah, a late 19th-century halachic commentary, offers detailed guidelines on head coverings, including the use of a shirt sleeve or hand, and discusses the permissibility of using a toupee.
The Reverence of a Covered HeadHALAKHAH
The Reverence of a Covered Head
HALAKHAH
The Shulchan Arukh emphasizes the importance of head covering as a sign of reverence and modesty, particularly when mentioning God's name or entering a synagogue. In the Orach Chayim section of the 16th-century codification of Jewish law, Rabbi Joseph Karo outlines the daily rituals and prayers, including the requirement to cover one's head for certain activities.
The Power of the KippahTALMUD
The Power of the Kippah
TALMUD
Wearing a kippah can help instill the fear of Heaven and aid in overcoming negative inclinations. The Talmud recounts how Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak's mother used a head covering to help her son overcome his inclination to steal.
The Practice of Reverence in PrayerHALAKHAH
The Practice of Reverence in Prayer
HALAKHAH
There are different opinions about when head-covering is required. Rabbi Eliezer Melamed’s contemporary work, Peninei Halakhah, discusses the range of opinions, citing the Shulḥan Arukh.