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Question
Shalom Rabbi, I was just interested to know if there is any verses in the Torah that command us to put on Kippahs, or if it is only found in the Talmud. I here from my Father that the idea of a kippah is only about 250 years old but before then we wore some type of head covering. Thank you for your time.
Answer
There is no commandment in the Torah that requires us to wear. a kippa. However, there are numerous places in the Talmud where it is related of our sages who did not go without a head covering.(See Shabbat 118b, Kiddushin 31a) The Talmud (Shabbat 156b) also points out that purpose of covering one's head is so he feels the awe of G-d upon him. The Rambam in Moreh Nevuchim 3:52 says that our sages went with head coverings as an act of respect to the Divine Presence which surrounds them. In Masechet Kalla Rabbati ( 2:2) it states that going without a head covering is an act of brazenness. In halachic sources, the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 2:6) states that out of respect to the Divine Presence, one should not walk 4 cubits without a head covering. Later commentators, such as the Vilna Gaon wrote (Buirei HaGra on the Shulchan Aruch 8:6 and see also Magen Avraham 91:3) that it is an act of extra piety but not an obligation. However, the Taz (Orach Chaim 8:2) stipulated that it is an outright prohibition to go without a head covering. The Mishna B'rura (Orach Chaim 2:11) repeats the ruling of the Taz and says it is an obligation even when sitting in the home and that is the common practice today.
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