Custom kippahs: a mix of tradition and style

Kippah (in plural Kippahs or Kippot) is basically a Hebrew word which means skullcap and is called as Yarmulke in Yiddish. It is a thin skullcap of round shape which is worn by the Jewish boys and men and at times by both women and men in many of the reform and conservative communities. As per the Jewish law, a man needs to cover their heads while reciting a blessing, praying and taking the name of god. They also need to wear these skullcaps while in Synagogue or studying Torah and present trend leads them to wear custom kippahs.

The main source of the tradition of wearing these headgears is mentioned in the Talmud and it is the central text of all the Jewish customs and low ethics. According to the Shabbat mentioned in the Talmud it says, that the men must cover their heads so that they can show that they fear of heaven. This is the reason that all the Jewish boys and men wear these kippahs. The Talmud says that the men have to follow this strict rule during prayers. The advent of the latest trends made way for the custom kippahs that are worn widely these days instead of traditional skullcaps.

Over a long time the custom of wearing this headwear became mandatory and the Jewish boys and men need to wear these headgears all the time.

The Kabbalistic Hassidic tradition mentions another reason for wearing the headwear. It says that since god is covering or protecting us with his his divine palm, so Jewish person need to cover his head. Another explanation of wearing this custom kippahs is so that the Jewish people can be easily recognized and to show that god is over the mankind.

There is no restriction on the design of the headwears and the Kippahs are available in different types and designs. The religious Jewish and the Hassidic usually wear headgears made of black velvet. The middle and the main orthodox system wear knitted skullcaps and wear white kippahs during any weddings and holidays. However, the present day boys as well as men prefer to wear custom kippahs that are stylish while maintaining the rules. The custom of the women is very different and conservative and as per the Jewish tradition a married woman has to cover their heads.