The only thing that could take some time when choosing the perfect yarmulke or kippah for your affair is the decision making process. Yarmulkes come in a huge variety of colors and materials. Yarmulkes are made of satin, velvet, leather, suede, and yarn that is knitted or crocheted. Perhaps having another pair of eyes might help while searching for the perfect yarmulke.

There are also various types of yarmulkes you can buy to suit your style, theme or needs. Spend some time online and you can find embossed yarmulkes with paisley patterns, sports teams, instruments, hobbies, happy faces and hundreds of other images that can all be included in your yarmulke design. You can even have your picture put on your yarmulke.

Displaying yarmulkes at your wedding can also be a creative project and detail element.

Find a cute chest, basket, or box to put the yarmulkes in and as guests enter your ceremony area they can pick them up. Line the card or gift table with yarmulkes or appoint someone to pass them out as guests are seated prior to your ceremony.

Don’t forget…a groom or Bar Mitzvah boy can sport his own special yarmulke while the rest of the party wears a different design. Can we say groomsmen gift? It’s just so simple!

So be sure to spend some time thinking about the humble yarmulke and all it can add to your special day.

Many of your non-Jewish guests may enquire about those little hats that men wear on their heads in the synagogue. Here is a simple, accurate answer.

The little hat is a yarmulke, (also known as a kippah), a Yiddish word derived from the Polish word for “cap.” A yarmulke is typically worn during the time of prayer. That’s your very basic definition. But more than a point of curiosity, the simple yarmulke can add a great deal to your affair.

A yarmulke is one Jewish detail that you can tie in to your affair’s color theme while providing the men who are attending your ceremony a wonderful take-home memento from your special day. We all know that every household has a stash of yarmulkes collected from special occasions like a friend’s Bar Mitzvah, a favorite Wedding or the yarmulke your father-in-law accidentally wore home from the temple’s Rosh Hashanah morning service. This collection of yarmulkes may come in handy the next time you have Passover dinner at your house.

Back to weddings & B-M’s and the ideas that’ll make your guests want to keep your kippah.

Yarmulkes come in a huge variety of colors and materials. Yarmulkes are made of satin, velvet, leather, suede, and yarn that is knitted or crocheted. Yarmulkes also come in everything from recycled cardboard to bamboo. They can have a sports theme, an animal print, even your wedding logo. There is no yarmulke too sparkly or too plain! They are also featured in your photos on the heads of your male VIPs. Details on your special day are key so let your yarmulkes have a place in your album!  And for outdoor ceremonies, who needs SPF 40 when you have a yarmulke?

Please note that this is Part 1 in a two part series of articles. Stay tuned for Part 2.

Ketubah Obligations

• Feed his wife
• Clothe her
• Provide her conjugal needs
• His estate is obligated to pay her a lump sum if he divorces her or dies before she does
• He must, pay her medical bills if she falls ill
• Pay ransom for her if she is taken hostage
• If the wife passes away before the husband, he must pay her burial expenses
• After he dies, her children inherit their mother’s ketubah money before the rest of the estate is divided amongst all the heirs.
• In the event that the husband dies before the wife, she is entitled to live in his home and live off his estate until she dies or remarries
• Her daughters, too, are supported by his estate until they marry.

Today, the typical ketubah can range from a standard printed form to a beautiful piece of fine art with an embedded text. All ketubot have blanks for the date and the names of the bride, groom, and witnesses. Before the wedding, the officiating Rabbi fills in these blanks and supervises the signing of the document by the witnesses. Alternatively, the artist of fine art ketubot may complete the ketubah by filling in the blanks with the Rabbi’s approval.

In the event that the document is lost or destroyed, or if a serious error is found in its text, the couple must immediately obtain a replacement ketubah from a Rabbi. This rule applies for the duration of the marriage so always keep your ketubah in a safe location.

What Was the Concept Behind The Original Ketubah

The ketubah is the original wedding contract that states the obligations of the husband to his wife. The heart of the text defines the financial compensation due to the wife in the event of the marriage being dissolved through divorce or the death of the husband. The ketubah even contains provisions which place liens on the husband’s assets. The ketubah is always signed by witnesses who validate the authenticity of the document.

The sages of old were troubled by the relative ease that a man could divorce his wife. The ketubah ensures that no man may be married to a woman unless he is obligated to pay significant reimbursement in the event of a divorce.

Judaism is a way of life. It centres on a series of obligations and customs with the intent of getting closer to G-d. Making the ketubah legal is an obligation. The ketubah is signed before the wedding ceremony; the witnesses cannot be a blood relative to the couple and the ketubah is read under the chuppah out loud.

Your wedding ketubah is the covenant of everlasting love and devotion between you and your soul-mate. It will be a daily reminder to both of you of your commitment to one another, and should represent your customs, traditions and values. For many couples, the ketubah is the foundation of their wedding ceremony, signifying the moment when two became one.

All of the ketubahs come with a choice of your text including: Orthodox, Conservative, Reformed, Interfaith, Anniversary and many more. Most come with Hebrew/English options and Lieberman Clause is available from many of our artists. You can even opt for your very own custom text.

So where did this word come from? The Yiddish word yamaka (yarmulke) most likely comes from the Aramaic, “yira malka”, which literally means “awe of the King.” The concept would be that one who is in awe of “The King” meaning G-d then he would humbly keep his head covered. Interestingly, the word kippah in Hebrew actually means dome. Kippah (or kippot for plural) has become much more widely used to designate the skullcap worn by Jewish men.

Reasons Given for Wearing a Kippah / Kippot Today Include

While there are many reasons given by the rabbinical authorities and Jewish mystics for the purpose of wearing a kippah or yarmulke, below are some of the more simple ones:

• Recognition that God is “above” humankind
• “Acceptance” of the 613 mitzvot (commandments)
• “Identification” with the Jewish people
• Demonstration of the “ministry” of all Jews

It is also known that the High Priest in the times of the Temple in Jerusalem, the Kohain Gadol, also used to wear a woolen kippah under his priestly headdress (Talmud Chulin 138a).

It is important to note that while most orthodox men cover their heads all day with a kippah or yarmulke, there are dissenting views even amongst the orthodox authorities as to whether this is a requirement or a stringency. All orthodox authorities would agree, however, that a kippah or yarmulke must be worn by a Jewish male during prayer or while studying the Torah.

The Complexity of the Simple Kippah / Kippot

First of all we don’t always buy kippot. Some look for yarmulkes, some for yamakas, other people call them kippahs (or kippas) and there are those that refer to them as skull caps and “Jewish hats”. But regardless of the way people spell or pronounce it, there is a meaning in a color and a shape of every kippah. Needless to say that one can spend a lifetime unraveling the rules and the variations and customs that define which kippah a person prefers. Here is an abbreviated version of who buys what and why.

Large knitted kippot (kippahs) are the most likely to be your choice if you are a conservative Jew or any Israeli Jew.

If you are a Religious Zionist you are probably looking for knitted or crocheted kippot that are multicolored, soft, muted browns and blues.

If you belong to the Haredim community you are likely on the market for black satin or cloth kippot.

Many young Orthodox Jews in Israel continue to favor small black crocheted kippot.

The students and followers of Kabbalah wear large kippot that usually cover the whole head.

The very distinct style of a Bukharian kippah is of course the preference of expatriates of this unique Asian Jewish Community.

A satin or velvet black kippah is one of the most common kippot worn by Jewish men of the Haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) community or by Orthodox Jews. This kippah is simple, but at the same very stylish and very practical, because a satin or velvet kippah always fits nicely on the head and usually is made in larger sizes.

In traditional Jewish wedding ceremonies the Groom signs the ketubah in a separate room, in the presence of witnesses and the Rabbi, prior to the start of the wedding. The bride does not sign it, because the ketubah belongs to her alone, according to Jewish law, as proof of her rights and the groom’s responsibilities.

Ketubot in Contemporary Times

Traditional ketubot do not necessarily reflect the realities of modern marriages or contemporary views on relationships. Many couples have found new ketubot, or have written their own ketubah text that is more egalitarian. Many ketubot now include parallel declarations of commitments made by both bride and groom with a joint declaration of faith in G-d and a connection to the Jewish people. The ketubah can be a way to remind the couple of their moral responsibilities to one other.

Today there are thousands of ketubot available from a huge pool of ketubah artists from around the world, as well as many sources of published ketubah texts. Most artists offer their ketubot with 4-20 text options. Couples have a vast array of choices to make in order to customize the ketubah text to reflect their particular values. A couple should always confer with their rabbi before deciding on which ketubah text to choose, and certainly before any artwork is ordered.

The Legalities of Ketubahs

Since ketubahs are considered a religious legal document, not all rabbis will accept all texts. Moreover, only Orthodox and Conservative texts are recognized in the State of Israel. Ketubahs come in different texts depending on the Jewish denomination i.e. Orthodox, Conservative, Reformed, etc. This is why when ordering ketubahs it is important to consult with your rabbi in advance.

The Talmud says that wearing a yarmulke is to remind us of G-d, who is the Higher Authority “above us” (Kiddushin 31a). What we do can change who we are and wearing a symbolic, tangible “something above us” reinforces the idea that G-d is always watching. The yarmulke is a means to draw out one’s inner sense of respect for and awareness of G-d.

Whatever the reason given, however, covering the head has always been regarded more as a custom rather than a commandment. Although it is a common pious practice to cover the head at all times, it is not religiously mandatory. For example, it is widely accepted that one may refrain from wearing a yarmulke at work if your employer requires it (for reasons of safety, uniformity, or to reduce distractions). You can take off your yarmulke for a job interview if you think it will hurt your chances of getting the job.

The Significance of Yarmulkes / Yamakas

Appropriately, the Yiddish word for head covering, “yarmulke,” comes from the Aramaic, yira malka, which means “awe of the King.” Over the years, the term has become “yaar-malka,” then Hassidized into “yaar-mulke,” hence Yarmulke. Yarmulke has since evolved into the term Yamaka for many Jews unaware of the origin of the term. In Hebrew, the head covering is called “kippah” – which literally means “dome.”

When men wear yarmulkes this proclaims “I am a proud Jew.”  Indeed, wearing a yarmulke is a big statement, and obligates the wearer to live up to a certain standard of behavior.  Wearing a yarmulke speaks strongly about ones attitude towards G-d and reflects on all Jews. Wearing a yarmulke is a serious commitment as the actions of a person wearing a yarmulke can create a Kiddush Hashem (sanctification of G-d’s name) or conversely a Chillul Hashem (desecration of His name).

Of course, putting on a yarmulke does not automatically confer “role model” status and certainly it’s not fair to “judge Judaism” based on someone displaying the outer trappings of observance.

Historical References of the Yarmulke

From a biblical standpoint, only the Cohanim (priests) serving in the Temple were required to cover their heads (see Exodus 28:4). Yet for many centuries, the obligatory custom has been for Jewish men to wear a yarmulke all the time, as the Code of Jewish Law says, “It is forbidden to walk four cubits without a yarmulke or head covering.”

There is no special significance to yarmulkes as a specific type of head covering. So whether you call it a Yarmulke, Yamaka or Kippah, its light weight, compactness and discreteness make it a convenient choice of head covering.

All our rituals, traditions and faiths have some historical significance, and history often has it’s root in religion. Simple things, from the way we pray or the clothes we wear during religious services, has some symbolic connection to our religion and history. Many religions prescribe a specific attire before we face God, which conveys the message of purity, honesty, and sincerity, as well as a constant reminder of God’s existence. According to Judaism, the yarmulke is one such symbol of faithfulness to God. It is also known as yamaka or kippha, which is a Hebrew word that means dome. Kippot is the plural of kippha. Let us take a closer look at the yarmulke history in this article.

What is a Yarmulke?

Yarmulke is a Jewish word derived from the Aramaic term, ‘yira malka’, that means ‘awe of the king’. The yarmulke is a small hemispherical skullcap which has great religious significance as noted in the Talmud. The Talmud is a Jewish religious book which has an account of Jewish laws, customs, history, ethics, and philosophy. It strongly recommends Jewish men to don yarmulke during prayers and before entering the synagogue. Some of them also wear it while eating, studying, during Jewish wedding traditions, and while visiting religious places, such as the Western Wall, etc.

Orthodox or conservative Jewish men wear the yarmulke all the time but modern reformists or egalitarian Jewish men and women don the yarmulke only during prayers. Women were always exempted from wearing the kippot but for the reasons of modesty, many married women cover their hair. With the religious revolution, women adorning the kippot has become a sign of religious equality. Small Jewish kids start wearing wearing the yarmulke when they get their first haircut, and this custom is known as upsherin. It also signifies that a kid will commence his formal Torah (religious studies) education. Of late, modern Jewish people have started celebrating the upsherin for their daughters as well.

Why is it Necessary to Wear a Yarmulke?

The yarmulke is worn to show the respect to God and as an outward and tangible sign of faithfulness to God. Wearing the yarmulke implies that a wearer admits the presence of divine power. It is also a symbolic demarcation between heaven and earth. The one who wears the yarmulke is considered humble and God fearing. The yarmulke is also known to shield devotees from the glorious light of heaven. It is a symbolic representation of complete surrender to the God, as denoted by yarmulke history.

Kippha or Yarmulke Patterns

Yarmulke history implies that traditional Jews wear only a black velvet yarmulke, which are very common and widely popular. On the other hand, modern Jews wear knitted, crocheted, or leather yarmulke. Like any other accessory, the yarmulke has undergone various changes to suit different personalities. Women prefer yarmulkes with small and delicate designs including crystals and beading with bright colors. Anybody can experiment with yarmulke pattern, fabric, and designs, as long as it is not offensive or against the religion. Yarmulkes are available in various sizes as well for adults and kids. Generally, they are five inches in diameter and are very small compared to the size of the head. Unlike other head gear, hair pins or clips are needed to keep the yarmulke in place.

Various reforms in Judaism and convergence with world religions has brought many changes in Jewish culture, and hence in their customs and practices. They are still used symbolically, but convey a different message. Some of them express their political or religious ideologies, beliefs and faiths through certain kind of yarmulkes. Yarmulke history does not have an account of the kippot being associated with magical or mystical events, but it has always been the symbol of pure devotion to God.

Author: Geeta Dhavale, 2010

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