Derivation

• Jewish scholar Leo Rosten claims that the word "yarmulke" comes from the Tatar word for skullcap. Many other scholars, though, trace the word to the Aramaic "yira malka" or "yerai malka," which means "awe of the king."
  
  

Wearing the Yarmulke

• The yarmulke is worn by Jews as a sign of respect for God and an acknowledgment of God's presence above. It is also viewed as a device to mark the division between Earth and Heaven.
  
  

Law or Custom?

• Jews have covered their heads during religious ceremonies for centuries; however, there is a debate over whether or not the wearing of a yarmulke is an actual law or simply a custom. Today, Orthodox and many Conservative Jews will wear the yarmulke constantly, while Reform Jews will often wear the yarmulke only on religious occasions, if at all.
  
  

Types

• Chassidic Jewish males wear only black yarmulkes.Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Sam Photos8.com
  
  Yarmulkes come in many fabrics, designs, and colors, although members of the Chassidic (or "Hasidic") branch of Orthodox Judaism will wear only the traditional black yarmulke.
  
  

Hats

• Yarmulkes beneath the hats of Chassidic menImage by Flickr.com, courtesy of dcaseyphoto
  
  A hat, even a baseball cap or other head covering, can substitute for a yarmulke. Some members of the Orthodox Jewish community, however, will also wear a yarmulke underneath hats and caps.
  
  

Men and Women

• Traditionally, women in Judaism often wore head coverings but not yarmulkes. Today, many women, particularly in Conservative Judaism, are also opting to wear the yarmulke.