Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 What is the reason for covering your own hair, Ruthie? I can't quite understand why it's not okay to show your own hair but it is okay to show something that looks the same or (as you say!) nicer than your own hair? Lesley ------------ From: ruthie@ Orthodox married women have to cover their hair. How they do it is their business; scarfs, hats (all-enveloping type!), etc. Wigs have become the favoured look for glamour. The Jewish wig seller/stylist is an industry unto his or her self. Recently wigs have become very natural indeed, using European (as opposed to Asian which is rather coarse and cheaper) human hair, which is soft and moves/swings realistically. The " custom " (custom made wig, using European hair) has become the object of desire for married women, held back only by its price tag (500 pounds plus). When I got married 33 yrs ago, I wore cheapo wigs, synthetic or part synthetic costing between 4 and 20 pounds each, but as with everything you get what you pay for. A " custom " lasts for ten years, a cheapo lasts for a few weeks or months, maybe a couple of years for an Asian human hair costing 200 pounds. So it's really worth the investment to get one " custom " rather than two or three cheaper ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 What is the reason for covering your own hair, Ruthie? I can't quite understand why it's not okay to show your own hair but it is okay to show something that looks the same or (as you say!) nicer than your own hair? Lesley ------------ From: ruthie@ Orthodox married women have to cover their hair. How they do it is their business; scarfs, hats (all-enveloping type!), etc. Wigs have become the favoured look for glamour. The Jewish wig seller/stylist is an industry unto his or her self. Recently wigs have become very natural indeed, using European (as opposed to Asian which is rather coarse and cheaper) human hair, which is soft and moves/swings realistically. The " custom " (custom made wig, using European hair) has become the object of desire for married women, held back only by its price tag (500 pounds plus). When I got married 33 yrs ago, I wore cheapo wigs, synthetic or part synthetic costing between 4 and 20 pounds each, but as with everything you get what you pay for. A " custom " lasts for ten years, a cheapo lasts for a few weeks or months, maybe a couple of years for an Asian human hair costing 200 pounds. So it's really worth the investment to get one " custom " rather than two or three cheaper ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 What is the reason for covering your own hair, Ruthie? I can't quite understand why it's not okay to show your own hair but it is okay to show something that looks the same or (as you say!) nicer than your own hair? Lesley ------------ From: ruthie@ Orthodox married women have to cover their hair. How they do it is their business; scarfs, hats (all-enveloping type!), etc. Wigs have become the favoured look for glamour. The Jewish wig seller/stylist is an industry unto his or her self. Recently wigs have become very natural indeed, using European (as opposed to Asian which is rather coarse and cheaper) human hair, which is soft and moves/swings realistically. The " custom " (custom made wig, using European hair) has become the object of desire for married women, held back only by its price tag (500 pounds plus). When I got married 33 yrs ago, I wore cheapo wigs, synthetic or part synthetic costing between 4 and 20 pounds each, but as with everything you get what you pay for. A " custom " lasts for ten years, a cheapo lasts for a few weeks or months, maybe a couple of years for an Asian human hair costing 200 pounds. So it's really worth the investment to get one " custom " rather than two or three cheaper ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 > What is the reason for covering your own hair, Ruthie? I can't quite > understand why it's not okay to show your own hair but it is okay to > show something that looks the same or (as you say!) nicer than your > own hair? > > Lesley I know it's difficult to understand, but basically it works like this: On marriage our hair becomes like any other part of our body which has to be covered; there are very deep religious and Kabbalistic reasons for this. So if you think of it as any other normally covered part of the body, then it's easier to understand why the wig can be an improvement on nature; we use clothes to cover up and improve upon other parts of our body which wouldn't look so nice naked, so the wig can be as nice or nicer too. However there are some very extreme sects/Rabbis who feel that wigs shouldn't be so natural or glamorous that they get mistaken for our own hair. I feel very lucky that we aren't as extreme as that; it's enough that we have to cover our hair all the time, but to cover it with something very obviously artificial would be awful. Some very Hassidic women wear unnatural looking wigs and then a special hat on top so there can be absolutely no mistaking the fact that she's covering her hair. I really know how difficult this is to understand; often proselytes or irreligious women who become more religious find this the hardest thing to take upon themselves; the loss of freedom of one's own hair. Ruthie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 > What is the reason for covering your own hair, Ruthie? I can't quite > understand why it's not okay to show your own hair but it is okay to > show something that looks the same or (as you say!) nicer than your > own hair? > > Lesley I know it's difficult to understand, but basically it works like this: On marriage our hair becomes like any other part of our body which has to be covered; there are very deep religious and Kabbalistic reasons for this. So if you think of it as any other normally covered part of the body, then it's easier to understand why the wig can be an improvement on nature; we use clothes to cover up and improve upon other parts of our body which wouldn't look so nice naked, so the wig can be as nice or nicer too. However there are some very extreme sects/Rabbis who feel that wigs shouldn't be so natural or glamorous that they get mistaken for our own hair. I feel very lucky that we aren't as extreme as that; it's enough that we have to cover our hair all the time, but to cover it with something very obviously artificial would be awful. Some very Hassidic women wear unnatural looking wigs and then a special hat on top so there can be absolutely no mistaking the fact that she's covering her hair. I really know how difficult this is to understand; often proselytes or irreligious women who become more religious find this the hardest thing to take upon themselves; the loss of freedom of one's own hair. Ruthie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 > What is the reason for covering your own hair, Ruthie? I can't quite > understand why it's not okay to show your own hair but it is okay to > show something that looks the same or (as you say!) nicer than your > own hair? > > Lesley I know it's difficult to understand, but basically it works like this: On marriage our hair becomes like any other part of our body which has to be covered; there are very deep religious and Kabbalistic reasons for this. So if you think of it as any other normally covered part of the body, then it's easier to understand why the wig can be an improvement on nature; we use clothes to cover up and improve upon other parts of our body which wouldn't look so nice naked, so the wig can be as nice or nicer too. However there are some very extreme sects/Rabbis who feel that wigs shouldn't be so natural or glamorous that they get mistaken for our own hair. I feel very lucky that we aren't as extreme as that; it's enough that we have to cover our hair all the time, but to cover it with something very obviously artificial would be awful. Some very Hassidic women wear unnatural looking wigs and then a special hat on top so there can be absolutely no mistaking the fact that she's covering her hair. I really know how difficult this is to understand; often proselytes or irreligious women who become more religious find this the hardest thing to take upon themselves; the loss of freedom of one's own hair. Ruthie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 > On marriage our hair becomes like any other part of our body which > has to be covered; there are very deep religious and Kabbalistic > reasons for this. So if you think of it as any other normally covered > part of the body, then it's easier to understand why the wig can be an > improvement on nature; we use clothes to cover up and improve upon > other parts of our body which wouldn't look so nice naked, so the wig > can be as nice or nicer too. Is it the hair itself that has to be covered, or the person? I'm just wondering what the situation would be for a woman with no hair (eg after chemo). And would a woman be allowed to wear a wig made up of her own hair? Also, I am very confused about what happens in the synagogue now. I have only been in a synagogue once, as a wedding guest. My DH had to cover his head as we went in, but I am sure that I didn't. Am I misremembering? Sorry for all the questions! Lynda SAHM to (8), (5), Fraser (3), Callum (15/5/00) Newsletter editor, Mid-Northumberland Branch Area Rep, Region 7 www.familygarland.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 > On marriage our hair becomes like any other part of our body which > has to be covered; there are very deep religious and Kabbalistic > reasons for this. So if you think of it as any other normally covered > part of the body, then it's easier to understand why the wig can be an > improvement on nature; we use clothes to cover up and improve upon > other parts of our body which wouldn't look so nice naked, so the wig > can be as nice or nicer too. Is it the hair itself that has to be covered, or the person? I'm just wondering what the situation would be for a woman with no hair (eg after chemo). And would a woman be allowed to wear a wig made up of her own hair? Also, I am very confused about what happens in the synagogue now. I have only been in a synagogue once, as a wedding guest. My DH had to cover his head as we went in, but I am sure that I didn't. Am I misremembering? Sorry for all the questions! Lynda SAHM to (8), (5), Fraser (3), Callum (15/5/00) Newsletter editor, Mid-Northumberland Branch Area Rep, Region 7 www.familygarland.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 > On marriage our hair becomes like any other part of our body which > has to be covered; there are very deep religious and Kabbalistic > reasons for this. So if you think of it as any other normally covered > part of the body, then it's easier to understand why the wig can be an > improvement on nature; we use clothes to cover up and improve upon > other parts of our body which wouldn't look so nice naked, so the wig > can be as nice or nicer too. Is it the hair itself that has to be covered, or the person? I'm just wondering what the situation would be for a woman with no hair (eg after chemo). And would a woman be allowed to wear a wig made up of her own hair? Also, I am very confused about what happens in the synagogue now. I have only been in a synagogue once, as a wedding guest. My DH had to cover his head as we went in, but I am sure that I didn't. Am I misremembering? Sorry for all the questions! Lynda SAHM to (8), (5), Fraser (3), Callum (15/5/00) Newsletter editor, Mid-Northumberland Branch Area Rep, Region 7 www.familygarland.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 Lynda: I am happy to answer questions about Judaism as long as I don't feel I am being mocked or held in contempt for my beliefs. On a certain IRC (that's chat) channel I frequent, I daren't mention my faith because they are so denegrating of everything we believe in. So far I haven't felt that on here! > Is it the hair itself that has to be covered, or the person? I'm just > wondering what the situation would be for a woman with no hair (eg after > chemo). And would a woman be allowed to wear a wig made up of her own hair? My daughter actually has a SIL who, before marriage, grew her own hair to below waist length, had it cut off and made into a wig which she now wears. I think this may be questionable but since she lives in a *very* religious Israeli town, she must have got Rabbinical permission for this! I have never seen a bald Jewish woman walk around bareheaded so I think the Kabbalistic idea involves the covering of the head as well as the hair. > Also, I am very confused about what happens in the synagogue now. I have > only been in a synagogue once, as a wedding guest. My DH had to cover his > head as we went in, but I am sure that I didn't. Am I misremembering? > > Sorry for all the questions! > > Lynda No problem, see above! I think it all depends on how orthodox the synagogue was that you attended, there are many *shades* of Judaism from reform to orthodox and all shades inbetween. If you sat together with your husband in synagogue (ie weren't segregated into a women's gallery upstairs) the probability is you were in either a reform, liberal or conservative synagogue. There the dress code for women is extremely relaxed and they wouldn't have insisted on you wearing a hat, or even long sleeves or a skirt rather than trousers. However the skullcap for men somehow has become pretty much standard in all services. In orthodox services you would have sat separately, been expected to cover your hair, and arms, and not wear too short a skirt or go bare legged. If you go to the Wailing (or Western) Wall in Jerusalem, which is a tourist attraction for all, the immodestly clad are offered coverup scarves for heads and to lay around shoulders before they enter our holy site. It is also completely segregated into men and women's sections for prayer. I remember going into a medium-orthodox synagogue once, wearing a wig, and the lady in charge of modesty there thought I had uncovered hair and told me to go out and put a hat on! Ruthie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 Lynda: I am happy to answer questions about Judaism as long as I don't feel I am being mocked or held in contempt for my beliefs. On a certain IRC (that's chat) channel I frequent, I daren't mention my faith because they are so denegrating of everything we believe in. So far I haven't felt that on here! > Is it the hair itself that has to be covered, or the person? I'm just > wondering what the situation would be for a woman with no hair (eg after > chemo). And would a woman be allowed to wear a wig made up of her own hair? My daughter actually has a SIL who, before marriage, grew her own hair to below waist length, had it cut off and made into a wig which she now wears. I think this may be questionable but since she lives in a *very* religious Israeli town, she must have got Rabbinical permission for this! I have never seen a bald Jewish woman walk around bareheaded so I think the Kabbalistic idea involves the covering of the head as well as the hair. > Also, I am very confused about what happens in the synagogue now. I have > only been in a synagogue once, as a wedding guest. My DH had to cover his > head as we went in, but I am sure that I didn't. Am I misremembering? > > Sorry for all the questions! > > Lynda No problem, see above! I think it all depends on how orthodox the synagogue was that you attended, there are many *shades* of Judaism from reform to orthodox and all shades inbetween. If you sat together with your husband in synagogue (ie weren't segregated into a women's gallery upstairs) the probability is you were in either a reform, liberal or conservative synagogue. There the dress code for women is extremely relaxed and they wouldn't have insisted on you wearing a hat, or even long sleeves or a skirt rather than trousers. However the skullcap for men somehow has become pretty much standard in all services. In orthodox services you would have sat separately, been expected to cover your hair, and arms, and not wear too short a skirt or go bare legged. If you go to the Wailing (or Western) Wall in Jerusalem, which is a tourist attraction for all, the immodestly clad are offered coverup scarves for heads and to lay around shoulders before they enter our holy site. It is also completely segregated into men and women's sections for prayer. I remember going into a medium-orthodox synagogue once, wearing a wig, and the lady in charge of modesty there thought I had uncovered hair and told me to go out and put a hat on! Ruthie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 Lynda: I am happy to answer questions about Judaism as long as I don't feel I am being mocked or held in contempt for my beliefs. On a certain IRC (that's chat) channel I frequent, I daren't mention my faith because they are so denegrating of everything we believe in. So far I haven't felt that on here! > Is it the hair itself that has to be covered, or the person? I'm just > wondering what the situation would be for a woman with no hair (eg after > chemo). And would a woman be allowed to wear a wig made up of her own hair? My daughter actually has a SIL who, before marriage, grew her own hair to below waist length, had it cut off and made into a wig which she now wears. I think this may be questionable but since she lives in a *very* religious Israeli town, she must have got Rabbinical permission for this! I have never seen a bald Jewish woman walk around bareheaded so I think the Kabbalistic idea involves the covering of the head as well as the hair. > Also, I am very confused about what happens in the synagogue now. I have > only been in a synagogue once, as a wedding guest. My DH had to cover his > head as we went in, but I am sure that I didn't. Am I misremembering? > > Sorry for all the questions! > > Lynda No problem, see above! I think it all depends on how orthodox the synagogue was that you attended, there are many *shades* of Judaism from reform to orthodox and all shades inbetween. If you sat together with your husband in synagogue (ie weren't segregated into a women's gallery upstairs) the probability is you were in either a reform, liberal or conservative synagogue. There the dress code for women is extremely relaxed and they wouldn't have insisted on you wearing a hat, or even long sleeves or a skirt rather than trousers. However the skullcap for men somehow has become pretty much standard in all services. In orthodox services you would have sat separately, been expected to cover your hair, and arms, and not wear too short a skirt or go bare legged. If you go to the Wailing (or Western) Wall in Jerusalem, which is a tourist attraction for all, the immodestly clad are offered coverup scarves for heads and to lay around shoulders before they enter our holy site. It is also completely segregated into men and women's sections for prayer. I remember going into a medium-orthodox synagogue once, wearing a wig, and the lady in charge of modesty there thought I had uncovered hair and told me to go out and put a hat on! Ruthie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 > I am happy to answer questions about Judaism as long as I don't feel I > am being mocked or held in contempt for my beliefs. I hope you didn't think I was mocking - certainly not intended. > I have never seen a bald Jewish woman walk around bareheaded so I > think the Kabbalistic idea involves the covering of the head as well > as the hair. The reason I asked about baldness is that DS's cub scout leader (not Jewish) has had breast cancer and been treated with chemotherapy after a mastectomy. All her hair has fallen out and now that the weather is warmer, she is going bareheaded. She says that she finds that it is helping her to come to terms with her illness, her treatment and her loss to face the world " as herself " and be accepted as such As for the Jewish wedding I attended > I think it all depends on how orthodox the synagogue was that you > attended, there are many *shades* of Judaism from reform to orthodox > and all shades inbetween. If you sat together with your husband in > synagogue (ie weren't segregated into a women's gallery upstairs) the > probability is you were in either a reform, liberal or conservative > synagogue. Men and women sat on different sides of the synagogue but the women did not go up to a gallery. I was told that a wedding service was the only time the women could sit downstairs. I am pretty sure that I didn't wear a hat in the synagogue though, and actually have vague memories of being asked to remove it as we went in (being a " wear a hat at a wedding " sort of person). > I remember going into a medium-orthodox synagogue once, wearing a wig, > and the lady in charge of modesty there thought I had uncovered hair > and told me to go out and put a hat on! LOL :-) Lynda SAHM to (8), (5), Fraser (3), Callum (15/5/00) Newsletter editor, Mid-Northumberland Branch Area Rep, Region 7 www.familygarland.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 > I am happy to answer questions about Judaism as long as I don't feel I > am being mocked or held in contempt for my beliefs. I hope you didn't think I was mocking - certainly not intended. > I have never seen a bald Jewish woman walk around bareheaded so I > think the Kabbalistic idea involves the covering of the head as well > as the hair. The reason I asked about baldness is that DS's cub scout leader (not Jewish) has had breast cancer and been treated with chemotherapy after a mastectomy. All her hair has fallen out and now that the weather is warmer, she is going bareheaded. She says that she finds that it is helping her to come to terms with her illness, her treatment and her loss to face the world " as herself " and be accepted as such As for the Jewish wedding I attended > I think it all depends on how orthodox the synagogue was that you > attended, there are many *shades* of Judaism from reform to orthodox > and all shades inbetween. If you sat together with your husband in > synagogue (ie weren't segregated into a women's gallery upstairs) the > probability is you were in either a reform, liberal or conservative > synagogue. Men and women sat on different sides of the synagogue but the women did not go up to a gallery. I was told that a wedding service was the only time the women could sit downstairs. I am pretty sure that I didn't wear a hat in the synagogue though, and actually have vague memories of being asked to remove it as we went in (being a " wear a hat at a wedding " sort of person). > I remember going into a medium-orthodox synagogue once, wearing a wig, > and the lady in charge of modesty there thought I had uncovered hair > and told me to go out and put a hat on! LOL :-) Lynda SAHM to (8), (5), Fraser (3), Callum (15/5/00) Newsletter editor, Mid-Northumberland Branch Area Rep, Region 7 www.familygarland.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 > I am happy to answer questions about Judaism as long as I don't feel I > am being mocked or held in contempt for my beliefs. I hope you didn't think I was mocking - certainly not intended. > I have never seen a bald Jewish woman walk around bareheaded so I > think the Kabbalistic idea involves the covering of the head as well > as the hair. The reason I asked about baldness is that DS's cub scout leader (not Jewish) has had breast cancer and been treated with chemotherapy after a mastectomy. All her hair has fallen out and now that the weather is warmer, she is going bareheaded. She says that she finds that it is helping her to come to terms with her illness, her treatment and her loss to face the world " as herself " and be accepted as such As for the Jewish wedding I attended > I think it all depends on how orthodox the synagogue was that you > attended, there are many *shades* of Judaism from reform to orthodox > and all shades inbetween. If you sat together with your husband in > synagogue (ie weren't segregated into a women's gallery upstairs) the > probability is you were in either a reform, liberal or conservative > synagogue. Men and women sat on different sides of the synagogue but the women did not go up to a gallery. I was told that a wedding service was the only time the women could sit downstairs. I am pretty sure that I didn't wear a hat in the synagogue though, and actually have vague memories of being asked to remove it as we went in (being a " wear a hat at a wedding " sort of person). > I remember going into a medium-orthodox synagogue once, wearing a wig, > and the lady in charge of modesty there thought I had uncovered hair > and told me to go out and put a hat on! LOL :-) Lynda SAHM to (8), (5), Fraser (3), Callum (15/5/00) Newsletter editor, Mid-Northumberland Branch Area Rep, Region 7 www.familygarland.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 wrote I'm a great one for modesty in my dress code and would never ever dream of wearing > trousers to church ( I only actually posses one pair of very old jeans which > I wear when I'm decorating and that's it). I always wear a lacy scarf over > my head during mass, but I must admit only about four others do and that's > out of over 600 ever Sunday.>>>>>>>>. > Oh, there is no one in our church that wears a scarf (only small church 90 people max. on a normal Sunday. I can remember as a child the " older " ladies wearing scarfs but it seems to have vanished around here. I do try to look smart at church though but would wear trousers, and jeans are frequently seen (not usually worn by me at church on a Sunday but midweek sometimes) I did not know Jewish ladies wearing a covering on their hair. I do find your postings fascinating Ruth - I think my knowledge of the Jewish religion comes from Maureen Lipmans books and I don't think she is quite as Orthodox as you! Trisha SAHM to 3 boys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 I am happy to answer questions about Judaism as long as I don't feel I am being mocked or held in contempt for my beliefs. On a certain IRC (that's chat) channel I frequent, I daren't mention my faith because they are so denigrating of everything we believe in. So far I haven't felt that on here! Ruthie ---- Oh Ruthie I do fined ALL that you have to say absolutely fascinating, being a Catholic I'm afraid I led a very sheltered life and know very little about other's religions and practices, and have learnt loads from this list. I'm a great one for modesty in my dress code and would never ever dream of wearing trousers to church ( I only actually posses one pair of very old jeans which I wear when I'm decorating and that's it). I always wear a lacy scarf over my head during mass, but I must admit only about four others do and that's out of over 600 ever Sunday. Do keep sharing stuff with us Ruthie you have me riveted. I never even knew about the wearing of wigs until you mentioned it on this list. Tupman Mum to Matt 13, 10, Jonty 21 months & Phil 36 NCT Houseswap Register Coordinator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 >I really know how difficult this is to understand; often proselytes >or irreligious women who become more religious find this the hardest >thing to take upon themselves; the loss of freedom of one's own hair. What do you do at night - and who, if anyone, sees your own hair? I find it all fascinating - though quite frustrating too, but when I was a student we had a fantastic Jewish woman come to talk to us as part of a session on religion - the other religious representatives were all 'officials' ministers, priests etc, but this woman did far better at explaining *why* people of her faith followed the dictates - I don't mean in terms of the reasoning (because frankly, sometimes it doesn't stand up to much logical examination (likewise my own ethical practice BTW!) but in terms of the value to self of observing religious tradition and honouring those who had gone before and suffered - it made it seem a lot easier to respect people's practice - though some things do still make my hair stand on end. It's certainly true that most people attach a lot of significance to hair - people found it very difficult to handle when my ex-SIL shaved her head and behaved as though she'd violated a religious principle. Some time I ought to write down all my own 'do's and don'ts' - at least you don't have to make it up as you go along Ruthie! -- jennifer@... Vaudin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 >Lynda: > >I am happy to answer questions about Judaism as long as I don't feel I >am being mocked or held in contempt for my beliefs. On a certain IRC >(that's chat) channel I frequent, I daren't mention my faith because >they are so denegrating of everything we believe in. So far I haven't >felt that on here! > Ruthie I hope you don't mind me commenting, on the above but I have been quietly reading all of your e-mails re: religion, I am fascinated with it all! I had a very heavy Christian background, and studied RE at school, so did the usual visit to synagogue, but I had no idea how complex the religion really is! You are fantastic to listen to. Please don't worry about offending, anyone that is offended by religion obviously has little or no respect for others beliefs, so are therefore not worth worrying about! IMO. Kirsten. mum to (nearly 2) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 Ruthie > > I hope you don't mind me commenting, on the above but I have been > quietly reading all of your e-mails re: religion, I am fascinated > with it all! I had a very heavy Christian background, and studied RE > at school, so did the usual visit to synagogue, but I had no idea how > complex the religion really is! You are fantastic to listen to. > > Please don't worry about offending, anyone that is offended by > religion obviously has little or no respect for others beliefs, so are > therefore not worth worrying about! IMO. > > Kirsten. > mum to (nearly 2) Thanks, I don't mind at all. One never knows how things will be taken. I appreciate all of your interest and tolerance of our weird customs! ) Ruthie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 What do you do at night - and who, if anyone, sees your own hair? Well, at night in bed I have nothing on my head. My own family are allowed to see my hair, certainly the girls, although I do tend to wear a cotton jersey turban when my son is around. There have been stories of virtuous and pious ladies in our history who had great rabbis for sons, and attributed the merit of this to the fact that " not even the walls of my house saw a hair of my head " . Maybe that's why my son is unlikely to be a great Rabbi! Ruthie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 Ruthie writes: > > I am happy to answer questions about Judaism as long as I don't feel I > > am being mocked or held in contempt for my beliefs. > Lynda: > I hope you didn't think I was mocking - certainly not intended. ....seconded here. No disrespect for your religious beliefs, Ruthie. Thanks for giving us insight into your world. Barbara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 > It's certainly true that most people attach a lot of significance to > hair - people found it very difficult to handle when my ex-SIL shaved > her head and behaved as though she'd violated a religious principle. Yes, I got a similar response when I shaved my head aged 15...... Hannah, 27 Mum to Bethany 7, Lawrence 5 1/2, Verity almost 3, Alfie 3 months Visit me on the web at :- http://hannahshome.20m.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 I did not know Jewish ladies wearing a covering on their hair. Well, not *all* of us do, only the orthodox ones, and even that varies according to *how* orthodox, one end of the orthodox spectrum would be the crocheted beret or " snood " with lots of hair showing, moving through the beret/hat/snood with *no* hair showing, to wigs (like me) which look v. natural, to less natural looking wigs with hats or scarves on top (Hassidic/ultra). I do find > your postings > fascinating Ruth - I think my knowledge of the Jewish religion comes from > Maureen Lipmans books and I don't think she is quite as Orthodox as you! True, she isn't :-) It's a shame that most people get their ideas of our religion from the less orthodox because they are more upfront and public Ruthie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 > Ruthie writes: > > > I am happy to answer questions about Judaism as long as I don't > feel I > > > am being mocked or held in contempt for my beliefs. > > Lynda: > > I hope you didn't think I was mocking - certainly not intended. > > ...seconded here. No disrespect for your religious beliefs, Ruthie. > Thanks for giving us insight into your world. > Barbara Thank you Barbara, as I said to Lynda; I haven't felt uncomfortable talking about my religion on here at all so am happy to continue to give you a window into our world if you want In the chat room I mentioned however, they are anti all organised religions per se, and certainly think a lot of our customs are barbaric, so I just avoid the subject. Ruthie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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