Jerusalem, Isreal – Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger has called on defendants going before a judge to “stop sporting a kippa just for show.”
The rabbi made the comment in a Rosh Hashana ceremony in Jerusalem today attended by past and present police commissioners, as well as Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter.
Metzger spoke of the phenomenon in which newly defendants choose to appear for their court dates wearing the traditional Jewish skullcaps for the sake of appearances.
“I cannot judge someone’s heart,” said Rabbi Metzger. “If someone has committed a crime and truly wished to repent, it is, by all means, the right thing to do; but this new thing we’re seeing, where killers are arrested and then they wear a kippa when appearing before the judge, is despicable.
“It is an abuse of religion and a complete disregard of the judges’ intelligence,” he said.
Rabbi Metzger then proceeded to wish the police forces a happy, less busy new year and thank them for their dedication to their job.
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How about when a frum Goniff wears a yarumulke? Is this ok?
I think this could be extended to “CULTURAL KIPPAHS”, like rainbows, or obama kippahs. When I see a yid wearing these type of yarmulkes it infuriates me. They turn the importance of wearing a kippah into nothing more then a “cultural” symbol. It sickens me!!!
I think this could be extended to “CULTURAL MITZVOS”, like Tefillin or Lulav and Esrog. When I see a Yid doing these types of Mitzvos it infuriates me. They turn the importance of doing Mitzvos into nothing more than a “cultural” symbol. It sickens me!!!
Anonymous #1 ,
Yes he should take it off. Dovid Hamelech made it appear that he was worshiping avoda zara to minimize the chillul Hashem of the maaseh with Bas Sheva.
Many people like cultural kippas. I think they are wonderful! There is nothing wrong with them. You should get professional help if they sicken you.
Is this any different from an attorney advising his or her client to wear a business suit (or a dress) to court, instead of blue jeans or shorts?
The defendant should respect the court by presenting himself as well as possible. It is the responsibility of the judge or jury to focus on the facts of the case.
As for wearing a kippah, even non-Jewish men cover their heads when attending a shul, for example to attend a bar mitzvah or wedding of a friend.
well in Israel its worse to wear a kipa in court you have a much better chance to win if u don’t look Jewish
It appears many of you lack fundamental understanding of why we wear kippahs to begin with. The name yarmulke means ” one who trembles before Hashem.” When people wear yarmulkes you are to remember that at all times you are in the presence of the King and should act accordingly. It is to humble the wearer, reminding them they are nothing and Hashem is everything. And while the yarmulke possesses no innate kidussha it symbolizes deep devotion and commitment to serving Hashem, thus why Rabbi Joshua never walked 4 cubits without covering his head. kidushin 31a. It is immodest and a mockery of the true purpose and meaning of yarmulkes to wear “cultural kippahs” such as your favorite baseball team. To do so is like wearing “a ring of gold in a pigs nose.” mishlei11:22
Krazy Kippah: You are confusing Yarmulke and Chareidim. Chareideim wear yarmulkes, but only Chareidem means trembling before Hashem. Yes, the Yarmulke trembles also,but only when worn by a Charaidi. Here is the actual etymology (that’s origins of the word for all you greenhorns) of the word Yarmulke:
[Yiddish, from Polish and Ukrainian yarmulka, possibly from Turkish yaǧmurluk, rain clothing, from yaǧmur, rain.]
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yarmulke
1903, from Yiddish yarmulke, from Pol. jarmulka, originally “a skullcap worn by priests,” perhaps ult. from M.L. almutia “cowl, hood.”
Yesterday at 11:04 PM
Anonymous Says: How about when a frum Goniff wears a yarumulke? Is this ok?
Mr. Wordmaster,
you are the one who is incorrect… Yarmulke is derived from either aramaic yarei malka or in Hebrew ya’arei me’Elokai both of which hold up my previous statements. Factually we know that Rav Yoshua wore a yarmulke for the reasons I stated above and oh wait thats right the kohenim also wore head coverings… Do you think they spoke Polish or Turkish? Hmmm NOT LIKELY!!! I know you secular zionists want nothing but to destroy Torah Judaism by turning everything that is holy into cultural nationalism but the least you can do is get the basic fundamentals facts right first…