Wearing a head covering is an ancient Jewish form of displaying respect. The Talmud contains several references to this practice, e.g. [Shabbat 156b] ``Cover your head so that reverence for God be upon you.'' The head covering itself, however, is not regarded as having any intrinsic sanctity of its own. There is no blessing for putting on a head covering; the head covering is not accorded any special respect --- unlike the
tallit
.
The traditional head covering for males is a skullcap called a
yarmulke
, or a
kippah
[Hebrew for
hat
]. A basket of kippot [plural of
kippah
] can be found by the entrance to the sanctuary; feel free to take one to wear if you didn't bring one. This basket also contains a few lace hats for women, if this is preferred to a yarmulke.
All males (3 and over) should wear a kippah at services, and at any activity where a prayer is said or religious texts are studied. For example, a kippah should be worn at a Friday night pot-luck Shabbat dinner, because the Kiddush [sanctification prayer for the Sabbath] will be said. As an additional example, a kippah should be worn at a Torah discussion group meeting. If in doubt, wear one: it's
never
considered ``incorrect'' to be wearing a kippah in the synagogue.
Both Jewish and non-Jewish males are expected to cover their heads.
Women are not required to wear a head covering,
except
when up on the bimah [the ``stage'' in front of the sanctuary]. However, women should feel free to cover their heads at other times. Any hat (including a kippah) will do just fine as a head covering; feel free to wear a fashionable hat.
