# Questions about Judaic rituals. Are ya there Zev Steinhardt? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 27, 2002, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-judaic-rituals-are-ya-there-zev-steinhardt/139198 "2002-11-27T21:01:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-judaic-rituals-are-ya-there-zev-steinhardt/139198/1 "2002-11-27T21:01:33Z")
1. The little prayer scroll thingys that adorn the entrances to rooms/buildings…is there a reason why they are placed on an angle? 2. The ‘tassles’ that hang down from the waist of male Jews…what are they for? 3. Wearing a yarmulke sometimes seems arbitrary…what are the rules pertaining to the age when a boy-child begins to wear one, and where? 4. Why do some (especially younger) Jewish women wear a head-scarf while others do not? As I work in an area that is popular with people of the Jewish faith at the moment, I find my mind trying to puzzle these things out quite a bit. I don’t want to just bowl up and accost the first bloke wearing a black hat and throw these questions at him!! So, dopers, help me relieve my ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-judaic-rituals-are-ya-there-zev-steinhardt/139198/2 "2002-11-27T21:18:31Z")
> [@](#): > > The little prayer scroll thingys that adorn the entrances to rooms/buildings…is there a reason why they are placed on an angle? The explanation my Jewish educators offered was that the angle is due to a 900 year old rabbinical disagreement. One rabbi argued horizontal placement, the other vertical, hence tradition advocates placing the mezuzzah at a 45 degree angle. > [@](#): > > The ‘tassles’ that hang down from the waist of male Jews…what are they for? They are tzitzis, which Jews are commanded to wear in Deuteronomy 22:12. > [@](#): > > Make yourself bound tassles on the four corners of clothing with which you cover yourself. Also mentioned in Numbers 15:37-41. > [@](#): > > The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD , that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God. There are some fascinating symbological aspects of tzitzis that perhaps someone with more knowledge can elaborate on. > [@](#): > > 1. Wearing a yarmulke sometimes seems arbitrary…what are the rules pertaining to the age when a boy-child begins to wear one, and where? Ohr Somayach in Jerusalem says that a boy first wears his yarmulke at three years. I believe this is mandated by custom rather than in the Torah. I cannot answer your fourth question. Hope this helps. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-judaic-rituals-are-ya-there-zev-steinhardt/139198/3 "2002-11-27T21:27:42Z")
Thanks **Maeglin** …at least I now know what the scrolls and the tassles are actually called too. I get tired of saying ‘thingys’. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ac91a4/32.png) [@Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knighted_Vorpal_Sword)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-judaic-rituals-are-ya-there-zev-steinhardt/139198/4 "2002-11-27T21:34:44Z")
Many (most?) observant women cover their hair after they marry. Some wear wigs, some scarves, some hats. Some wear hats and wigs, but that’s another discussion. ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-judaic-rituals-are-ya-there-zev-steinhardt/139198/5 "2002-11-27T22:03:38Z")
Well, others have beaten me to the questions. However to add a bit. Regarding the _mezuzah_ being on a slant: There is a Talmudic dispute as to in which direction they should be affixed. One authority maintained that it should be placed horizontally, the other vertically. Unlike most disputes, where we follow one opinion or the other, in this case we “compromised” between the two and place it on a slant. One explaination that I’ve heard for this unusual resolution is that the _mezuzah_ is placed at the entrance of our homes and doorways. An object lesson could be learned from this that when one is in one’s home with one’s spouse, one must learn to compromise with the other in order to build a home together. **Maeglin** pretty much hit the _tzitzis_ on the head. One is required to place _tzitzis_ on any four-cornered garment. The custom nowadays is to wear such a garment. Wearing a _yarmulka_ is a custom, but such a strong one that for most practical purposes it carries the force of law. Many Ashkenazic Jews have the custom to first cut a son’s hair at age three and begin wearing a _yarmulka_ then. Lastly, as **Knighted Vorpal Sword** pointed out, the custom among many Orthodox Jews is that married women cover their hair. Some use wigs, other hats, snoods or kercheifs. Unmarried women are not required to cover their hair. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ac91a4/32.png) [@Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knighted_Vorpal_Sword)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-judaic-rituals-are-ya-there-zev-steinhardt/139198/6 "2002-11-27T22:08:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by zev\_steinhardt \* > \*\* Many Ashkenazic Jews have the custom to first cut a son’s hair at age three and begin wearing a _yarmulka_ then. > Zev Steinhardt \*\* I hate to nitpick with **Zev** of all people, but I believe the custom of cutting the hair at age 3 is more Chassidic. Of course, Chassidim are virtually all Ashkenazik, but not all Ashkanazim are Chassidic. ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-judaic-rituals-are-ya-there-zev-steinhardt/139198/7 "2002-11-27T22:10:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Knighted Vorpal Sword \* > \*\*I hate to nitpick with **Zev** of all people, but I believe the custom of cutting the hair at age 3 is more Chassidic. Of course, Chassidim are virtually all Ashkenazik, but not all Ashkanazim are Chassidic. \*\* Maybe, but the custom seems to have been accepted into the Yeshivish world as well. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-judaic-rituals-are-ya-there-zev-steinhardt/139198/8 "2002-11-27T23:14:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by zev\_steinhardt \* > **Wearing a _yarmulka_ is a custom, but such a strong one that for most practical purposes it carries the force of law. Many Ashkenazic Jews have the custom to first cut a son’s hair at age three and begin wearing a _yarmulka_ then.** What is the custom? That it is worn all the time after 3 years old? That it may be worn by a person over 3, but not younger? Is there any time where wearing a yarmulka is law, rather than really strongly reinforced custom? (I never saw them except special occasions when I was growing up, or now, but when I was in college, all the time.) ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2002, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-judaic-rituals-are-ya-there-zev-steinhardt/139198/9 "2002-11-28T03:40:16Z")
On several occasions I have attended funeral services for deceased Jewish friends, and the synogogue provided yarmulkas for all the non-Jewish males. I assumed that this was because it was customary for males to wear them during services. ---
**Author:** ![IzzyR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/2acd7d/32.png) [@IzzyR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IzzyR)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2002, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-judaic-rituals-are-ya-there-zev-steinhardt/139198/10 "2002-11-28T04:05:27Z")
**Maeglin** , In light of our earlier exchange today, I feel I should compliment you here. Nail on the head. ;j (BTW, the 3 year old thing pre-dates Chassidim. But it is based on Kabbalistic teachings, and Chassidim base more of their customs on these). ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2002, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-judaic-rituals-are-ya-there-zev-steinhardt/139198/11 "2002-11-28T17:56:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by LurkMeister \* > \*\*On several occasions I have attended funeral services for deceased Jewish friends, and the synogogue provided yarmulkas for all the non-Jewish males. I assumed that this was because it was customary for males to wear them during services. \*\* There is no requirement for non-Jews to wear _yarmulkes_ by services. However, I would imagine that many would wear them just simply because everyone else is. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2002, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-judaic-rituals-are-ya-there-zev-steinhardt/139198/12 "2002-11-28T18:49:09Z")
OK, so I used to command military funeral detachments. Are such services held in a synogogue? If so, should my soldiers have worn their military covers? (I know nothing of this but can tell you some EXCELLENT Baptist funeral stories.) ---
**Author:** ![mrcrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@mrcrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrcrow)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2002, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-judaic-rituals-are-ya-there-zev-steinhardt/139198/13 "2002-11-28T19:12:27Z")
when wearing a tallit. is not the requirement of the tassels satisfied? i am goyim 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Splanky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b2d939/32.png) [@Splanky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Splanky)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2002, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-judaic-rituals-are-ya-there-zev-steinhardt/139198/14 "2002-11-28T19:48:58Z")
mrcrow-Yes. But I think that very religious Jews would wear the tassles anyway. Why take the tassles off? They are usually part of an undershirt and for daily use; tallit are usually only worn during prayer but I would think they are used to wearing tassles all the time so they’d wear it regardless. ---
**Author:** ![mrcrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@mrcrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrcrow)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2002, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-judaic-rituals-are-ya-there-zev-steinhardt/139198/15 "2002-11-28T20:01:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Splanky \* > \*\*mrcrow-Yes. But I think that very religious Jews would wear the tassles anyway. Why take the tassles off? They are usually part of an undershirt and for daily use; tallit are usually only worn during prayer but I would think they are used to wearing tassles all the time so they’d wear it regardless. \*\* yes that seems consistent to me i saw the soldiers in israel wearing their ‘little shirts’ it was just a thought as i have a tallit for bible study purposes deuteronomy numbers etc vayikra? the other thing about the angle of the mezzuzah interesting must be a real reason for the angle? and the fact it is on the rh doorpost? more info for me if possible. ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2002, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-judaic-rituals-are-ya-there-zev-steinhardt/139198/16 "2002-11-29T01:51:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Paul in Saudi \* > \*\*OK, so I used to command military funeral detachments. > > Are such services held in a synogogue? If so, should my soldiers have worn their military covers? > > (I know nothing of this but can tell you some EXCELLENT Baptist funeral stories.) \*\* Usually funeral services are held at a “funeral home” and then later at the gravesite by the burial. It can, however, be done in a synagouge, although I can’t remember the last time I went to a funeral that was held in one. Again, non-Jews are not required to cover their heads at all (in synagouge or anywhere else). However, if one wishes to do so (out of respect for the congregation), they may do so. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2002, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-judaic-rituals-are-ya-there-zev-steinhardt/139198/17 "2002-11-29T04:49:57Z")
Yes, but would a conventional hat do? On one hand, keeping in uniform is a good idea, but on the other somehow waering a “real” hat inside gives me the willies. (I get the willies quite easily I suppose.) ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2002, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-judaic-rituals-are-ya-there-zev-steinhardt/139198/18 "2002-11-29T05:10:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Paul in Saudi \* > \*\*Yes, but would a conventional hat do? On one hand, keeping in uniform is a good idea, but on the other somehow waering a “real” hat inside gives me the willies. > > (I get the willies quite easily I suppose.) \*\* Yes. The idea is to have one’s head covered. A _yarmulke_ has no special sanctity and is not required. A cap, baseball cap, beret, etc. are all acceptable as alternatives. However, as with any clothing, it should not be something that will be totally inappropriate for the setting (a baseball cap with “F you” on the front, for example, would be totally inappropriate.) A formal military cap that is part of your full uniform would be completely acceptable. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![mrcrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@mrcrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrcrow)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2002, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-judaic-rituals-are-ya-there-zev-steinhardt/139198/19 "2002-11-29T09:17:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by zev\_steinhardt \* > \*\*Yes. The idea is to have one’s head covered. A _yarmulke_ has no special sanctity and is not required. A cap, baseball cap, beret, etc. are all acceptable as alternatives. However, as with any clothing, it should not be something that will be totally inappropriate for the setting (a baseball cap with “F you” on the front, for example, would be totally inappropriate.) > > A formal military cap that is part of your full uniform would be completely acceptable. > > Zev Steinhardt \*\* when i was in safad in the sephardic synagogue the soldiers came in with no hats…they just put a hand over their head. i suppose this is a token gesture? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![mrcrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@mrcrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrcrow)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2002, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-judaic-rituals-are-ya-there-zev-steinhardt/139198/20 "2002-11-29T09:19:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mrcrow \* > \*\*when i was in safad in the sephardic synagogue the soldiers came in with no hats…they just put a hand over their head. > i suppose this is a token gesture? > 🙂 \*\* couldnt edit my post, sorry to add…at the wall in jerusalem we always wore baseball hats or some other convenient hat common to our dress…kepi’s in cardboard were available but blew away in the wind would a kafia be acceptable?🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-judaic-rituals-are-ya-there-zev-steinhardt/139198.md?page=2)