Hair Covering
I was asked why (some) Orthodox Jewish women cover their hair and it is one of those questions I struggle with a bit. I cover my hair because I am religious, but that is not an explanation that shows someone a about our beliefs or values. Keeping kosher, or Shabbat, and other things are much easier for me to articulate.
We cover our hair to be more modest, modest in the sense of keeping the intimate holy and private
not just modest compared to what everyone else is wearing. Honestly there are a billion reasons and books written on the subject quoting the Torah (old testament) and more specific reasons such as hair is sensuous and a part of a woman kept for herself and husband only, a man should not lust after a married woman's hair, hair covering signifies that a woman is married and off limits, etc. Hair coverings range from simple hats on top of ones head to full cloth coverings worn over ones ears so not a spec of hair shows through. Those of us who wear wigs made out of human hair consider this to be modest because wigs make us look like the secular world (standing out in a crowd or attracting stares is immodest) and our own personal hair is still not on display. For me I cover my hair because I truly believe G-d wants me to just like I eat kosher food and do not light fires on the Sabbath. We are Jews and these are just things we do.
Many of our traditions have particularly deep personal meaning to me. Hair covering is a little simpler. I do it to look married. Yes I have a ring and usually a husband at my side but in my community the wig ("sheital" is the common term) or head scarf is part of the package of looking married. In a place like Brooklyn the wig is pretty easy to identify from the bump of our own hair pushing through the back to the style of bangs or front pieces meant to hide our hairline. I spent a lot of my high school years trying to be seen as a non conformist. I still question authority and think for myself, but I've matured enough to realize that sometimes you do things like everyone else in order to a part of a community, a community that may not be perfect, but as a community it is strong and so organized that it protects and helps those in need, including you. Being a part of such a community far out weighs taking the time to put on a skirt (albeit over my pants) and cover my hair.
It is a common misconception that orthodox woman shave their heads. While I am sure some people find short hair easier to cover I have never met anyone who has done this and rather know many people who keep their hair longer than their wigs. Most women just have nice haircuts like everyone else and take the time to curl it or straighten it in a nice style for chillin in their houses. I've been asked by a few women who do not cover their hair about how comfortable it is. Much better than I thought it would be before I was married is the answer. Does the wig itch? Sometimes, but no more than my own hair use to itch. The head scarf falls out a bit, so did my own hairstyle. Wigs aren't perfect and neither is my own hair. The one thing I love is being able to get up in the morning, shower, put on a scarf, go about my day, and come home to a perfectly styled wig to wear out to a wedding.
For the two (I think) of you who also cover their hair what meaning does it have for you?
We cover our hair to be more modest, modest in the sense of keeping the intimate holy and private
not just modest compared to what everyone else is wearing. Honestly there are a billion reasons and books written on the subject quoting the Torah (old testament) and more specific reasons such as hair is sensuous and a part of a woman kept for herself and husband only, a man should not lust after a married woman's hair, hair covering signifies that a woman is married and off limits, etc. Hair coverings range from simple hats on top of ones head to full cloth coverings worn over ones ears so not a spec of hair shows through. Those of us who wear wigs made out of human hair consider this to be modest because wigs make us look like the secular world (standing out in a crowd or attracting stares is immodest) and our own personal hair is still not on display. For me I cover my hair because I truly believe G-d wants me to just like I eat kosher food and do not light fires on the Sabbath. We are Jews and these are just things we do.
Many of our traditions have particularly deep personal meaning to me. Hair covering is a little simpler. I do it to look married. Yes I have a ring and usually a husband at my side but in my community the wig ("sheital" is the common term) or head scarf is part of the package of looking married. In a place like Brooklyn the wig is pretty easy to identify from the bump of our own hair pushing through the back to the style of bangs or front pieces meant to hide our hairline. I spent a lot of my high school years trying to be seen as a non conformist. I still question authority and think for myself, but I've matured enough to realize that sometimes you do things like everyone else in order to a part of a community, a community that may not be perfect, but as a community it is strong and so organized that it protects and helps those in need, including you. Being a part of such a community far out weighs taking the time to put on a skirt (albeit over my pants) and cover my hair.
It is a common misconception that orthodox woman shave their heads. While I am sure some people find short hair easier to cover I have never met anyone who has done this and rather know many people who keep their hair longer than their wigs. Most women just have nice haircuts like everyone else and take the time to curl it or straighten it in a nice style for chillin in their houses. I've been asked by a few women who do not cover their hair about how comfortable it is. Much better than I thought it would be before I was married is the answer. Does the wig itch? Sometimes, but no more than my own hair use to itch. The head scarf falls out a bit, so did my own hairstyle. Wigs aren't perfect and neither is my own hair. The one thing I love is being able to get up in the morning, shower, put on a scarf, go about my day, and come home to a perfectly styled wig to wear out to a wedding.
For the two (I think) of you who also cover their hair what meaning does it have for you?