Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 21 to 22 of 22
  1. #21
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Los Angeles
    Quote Originally Posted by steven52682 View Post
    I strongly disagree with your statement. If that were the case, Jews (typically orthodox), who wear a yarmulke at all times, would never wear baseball hats. They do. If that were the case, it would be inappropriate to take a yarmulke and imprint your bar/bat mitzvah or wedding date inside and hand it out to guests. After all, that takes the yarmulke and makes it about the bar/bat mitzvah child or the couple rather than about G-d. I have a family friend who has worn the same white cloth yarmulke that was finger painted by his daughter 20 odd years ago for the past two decades ... by your reasoning that is offensive.

    I understand that your opinion is just that, and we are all entitled to one. I just don't think many Jews, reform, orthodox, or conservative, would agree with your sentiments.
    Well everyone is entitled to their own opinion of course. But to respond to your specific examples, first of all I have inquired of some orthodox folks that I know, and was told something I didn't know: usually if you see an orthodox wearing a baseball cap on the street, he's got a yarmulke on underneath. In other words, the baseball cap is either for style or to keep the sun out of his eyes, not as "the" head covering. And for sure, you never see an orthodox Jew wearing a baseball cap in synagogue, do you? Never.

    As for your other examples, the yarmulkes with the commemorative bar mitzvah information on the inside is a whole different thing. I don't think that could offend anyone, because nobody sees it. You're not making a statement drawing attention to yourself, and certainly not about something so crass as a sports team symbol.

    Even the example of the finger painted yarmulke, made by your friend's daughter, missed my point. Or maybe I didn't make the point very well. I don't think anyone, most importantly God, would be offended by that. While yes, you're right, it is more about "you" than a standard black or white yarmulke, something about that just seems more OK than a Red Sox yarmulke, because it's personal, it's family oriented, it's honoring a connection with your child, all of which are consistent with honor and respect for God and Judaism's values, and with the seriousness of what you're doing and where you are. I guess the difference for me is the crass commercializing of the symbol inherent in the sports teams yarmulkes. It's kind of like you're sitting in synagogue and you look up and see one of those sports yarmulkes, wouldn't you say to yourself, "Man, I can't get away from that stuff even in here?? Even in synagogue?? If not here, where??"

    Your friend's finger painted yarmulke is not a commercialization of it, and neither is the Bar Mitzvah info on the inside.

  2. #22
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Cary, NC

    Thanks

    Thanks for all of the responses. We didn't have a chance to attend a service this weekend because my wife was sick and we got too crazy busy with other things, but I will keep your suggestions in mind for a later date.

    The collegiate yarmulkes remind me of the many times I've seen an Indian girl in Cameron wearing the full garb covering her entire head and body (sorry, don't know the correct term for this piece of clothing) while at the same time having her face painted blue and white and covered with devil stickers.

    Also reminds me of the Crazies chanting "God's on our side" at the Notre Dame fans when we played them many years ago.

Similar Threads

  1. What Certain Posters need
    By DevilAlumna in forum Off Topic
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 03-29-2008, 01:15 PM
  2. Sorry to our Kentucky posters
    By dukemomLA in forum Elizabeth King Forum
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: 02-13-2008, 02:45 PM
  3. Calling all lurkers and new posters!
    By billybreen in forum Off Topic
    Replies: 42
    Last Post: 02-06-2008, 08:29 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •