some questions for jews

[jdl22]

I just moved to a jewish neighborhood here in Pittsburgh and I have a few questions about judaism.

1. What's with the hats? There's the yamukah (sp?) that a lot of people wear, especially the younger guys and theres also what looks to be a late 19th century dress hat. What's the significance of these? Is there some sort of age where you switch?

2. Similarly, a lot of jewish people here are very well dressed but their clothing looks extremely old fashioned. Is there any reason for that? Also it seems that a disproportionally high number of jewish women wear skirts.

3. The last appearance question concerns the beard. Seems most of these guys with the hats mentioned in question one have a huge beard. Is there some significance there? They also seem to be fairly scraggly as if they aren't trimmed at all.

4. Where are people going on Friday night and Saturday morning? From what little I know this is the sabbath. What does one do then? What can't you do?

[Zygote]

1) The yumulkah (sp?) isn't a law of the old testament (torah). This is what is known as a minhag (tradition) and has basically become a law because all traditions practiced overtime become laws. The purpose is to make you aware of god in everything you do. A yamulka is meant to be worn all day because you should always be aware of god's presence above you.

Regarding the black hat, this basically serves the same purpose as the yamulka, but this is considered a secondary awareness. Most jews who attempt to practice beyond the letter of the law (chassids) will wear the hat, as a secondary reminder of god's presence, on top of their yamulkah. They believe a secondary reminder is extremely important during prayer and on the sabbath.

2) The clothes are old fashioned because one is supposed to dress very modestly and some items are partly based on tradition.

Religious Jewish women are not allowed to wear pants. They must wear a skirt. This is because skirts are considered appropriately modest dress for a woman. Woman who are married also aren't allowed to show their hair for modesty reasons and that is why you will see them wearing a cloth covering or a wig.

3) According to the Torah, men are not allowed to shave between the three corners of their face. The more modern and liberal Jews believe that trimming the beard is okay while those who are more stringent believe that the beard must remain untouched. For modern Jews, things like electric razors are one of the few ways to appropriately shave.

4) They are going to synagogue and/or a meal. They are not allowed to drive because the Torah says a flame cannot be lit on the Sabbath and, therefore, you cannot ignite a car. You cannot use electricity that wasn't already running from before the Sabbath either. There are many more rules, but they all revolve around the idea that the Sabbath is a day of rest. So you are not allowed to work or handle money and having sex is considered a mitzvah (good deed).

[JaBlue]

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mitzvah (good deed).

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mitzvah translates to commandment

[Zygote]

commandments... good deeds... same thing!!! at least according to believers of the Jewish faith.

[Darryl_P]

I remember working for some Orthodox Jews in New York and one of them never wore a yamulka. Curious I asked why and was told he had a toupe which was an acceptable substitute since the key was to cover his head.

Also I was told that they put a linen sheet between themselves and their wives during sex, with a hole in it for the penis, because apparently they think it's unsanitary to have all that body contact or something like that. Not sure how reliable that info. is but it seemed believable at the time.

[Zygote]

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Also I was told that they put a linen sheet between themselves and their wives during sex, with a hole in it for the penis, because apparently they think it's unsanitary to have all that body contact or something like that. Not sure how reliable that info. is but it seemed believable at the time.


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that is 1000% untrue

[laurentia]

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Also I was told that they put a linen sheet between themselves and their wives during sex, with a hole in it for the penis, because apparently they think it's unsanitary to have all that body contact or something like that. Not sure how reliable that info. is but it seemed believable at the time.


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that is 1000% untrue

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Out of 100 jews it might be untrue for 1000 but still true for the rest.

[Zygote]

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Also I was told that they put a linen sheet between themselves and their wives during sex, with a hole in it for the penis, because apparently they think it's unsanitary to have all that body contact or something like that. Not sure how reliable that info. is but it seemed believable at the time.


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that is 1000% untrue

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Out of 100 jews it might be untrue for 1000 but still true for the rest.

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good one!

[ThinkQuick]

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1) The yumulkah (sp?) isn't a law of the old testament (torah). This is what is known as a minhag (tradition) and has basically become a law because all traditions practiced overtime become laws. The purpose is to make you aware of god in everything you do. A yamulka is meant to be worn all day because you should always be aware of god's presence above you.

Regarding the black hat, this basically serves the same purpose as the yamulka, but this is considered a secondary awareness. Most jews who attempt to practice beyond the letter of the law (chassids) will wear the hat, as a secondary reminder of god's presence, on top of their yamulkah. They believe a secondary reminder is extremely important during prayer and on the sabbath.

2) The clothes are old fashioned because one is supposed to dress very modestly and some items are partly based on tradition.

Religious Jewish women are not allowed to wear pants. They must wear a skirt. This is because skirts are considered appropriately modest dress for a woman. Woman who are married also aren't allowed to show their hair for modesty reasons and that is why you will see them wearing a cloth covering or a wig.

3) According to the Torah, men are not allowed to shave between the three corners of their face. The more modern and liberal Jews believe that trimming the beard is okay while those who are more stringent believe that the beard must remain untouched. For modern Jews, things like electric razors are one of the few ways to appropriately shave.

4) They are going to synagogue and/or a meal. They are not allowed to drive because the Torah says a flame cannot be lit on the Sabbath and, therefore, you cannot ignite a car. You cannot use electricity that wasn't already running from before the Sabbath either. There are many more rules, but they all revolve around the idea that the Sabbath is a day of rest. So you are not allowed to work or handle money and having sex is considered a mitzvah (good deed).

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nh. very complete, thanks