i don't know who hypothesized this idea about the kippah but even a glance at halachic writings shows that the Tallit is there for the purpose of fulfilling the mitzvah of Tzitzit and has nothing to do w/ covering one's head.


not really, the Talmud clearly discusses that one should wear a head covering (men in particular) at all times.

"Cover your head in order that the fear of heaven may be upon you." Tractate Shabbat 156b

as far as the kippah goes it is defenitely a custom but has become equal to law because rabbinic authority considers it a "Kiddush HaShem".

chances are that it emerged out of a desire to cover one's head all the time, (not just during prayer which is the minimum requirement) and they wanted something simple and light to wear.

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Then why did the RAMBAM consider it optional?

Let me just add below which is from Wikipedia ( Kippah - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ), which is not a traditional Jewish source:



This is from Judaism 101 ( Judaism 101: Signs and Symbols) , which is a reflection of Orthodox beliefs:


And this is from the Jewish Virtual Library ( Kippah ):


Have a good Shabbos, btw.

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"The further the spiritual evolution of mankind advances, the more certain it seems to me that the path to genuine religiosity does not lie through the fear of life, and the fear of death, and blind faith, but through striving after rational knowledge."-- Einstein

i never said that one was Chaiv to wear something on their head at all times, what i was pointing out is that the Talmud shows the beginning, clearly, of the practice of covering one's head, which is the purpose of the kippah. When did the practice of specifically wearing a kippah as opposed to other head coverings begin, that's something else all together, but i think even the Rambam would agree that Talmudic sources at the very least encourage such a practice.

and if you read the bottom of my post you see that i am very clear that the kippah IS optional and that it's use probably derives from a matter of comfort, not unlike the quote from Judaism 101


ultimately whether or not one chooses to wear a kippah (or head covering at all) all the time is a matter of personal observance and one's own comfort level.

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Sorry, I obviously misinterpreted what you were saying. Hope you had a good Shabbos btw.

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"The further the spiritual evolution of mankind advances, the more certain it seems to me that the path to genuine religiosity does not lie through the fear of life, and the fear of death, and blind faith, but through striving after rational knowledge."-- Einstein

it was very good thank you

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