Read About The Jewish SkullCap

Wearing of a head covering for men was only instituted in Talmudic times (approximately second century CE). The first mention of it is in Tractate Shabbat which discusses having the idea of respect and fear of God. Some sources likened it to the High Priest who wore a hat (Mitznefet) in order to remind him that there was always something between him and God. The idea has both a philosophical and psychological point. Philosophically it makes us all like the high priest and turns us into a holy nation. Psychologically, wearing something on your head reminds you that there is always something above you. In addition on a more practical bend, a1 skullcaps automatically categorized as a religious Jew, making it a bit harder to do wrong since you and everyone around you would know what you are and what is expected of you. his became common practice during Medieval times, and it was reinforced by the converse idea of removing one's hat as a sign of respect took hold in the Christian world. The Israelites might have worn a headdress similar to that worn by the Bedouins. This consists of a keffieh folded into a triangle, and placed on the head with the middle ends hanging over the neck to protect it, while the other two are knotted together under the chin. A thick woolen cord ('akal) holds the cloth firmly on the head. In later times, the Israelites, both men and women, adopted a turban-like headdress more like that of the Fellahs of today. The latter wear a little cap (takiyah), usually made of cotton cloth folded doubly or triply, which is supposed to shield the other parts of the head covering from perspiration. With boys, this often forms the only head covering. Under this cap are placed one, often two, felt caps (lubbadah); and the national head-dress of the Turks, the red tarboosh. Around this, finally, is wound either an unbleached cotton cloth with red stripes and fringe, a gaily-flowered mandil, a red-and-yellow-striped keffich, a black cashmere scarf, a piece of white muslin, or a colored cloth. Such a covering not only keeps off the scorching rays of the sun, but it also furnishes a convenient pillow on occasion, and is not seldom used by the Fellahs for preserving important documents.