Shtreimel
A shtreimel (Template:Langx Template:Transliteration, plural: {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Template:Transliteration or {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Template:Transliteration) is a fur hat worn by some Ashkenazi Jewish men, mainly members of Hasidic Judaism, on Shabbat and Jewish holidays and other festive occasions.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In Jerusalem, the shtreimel is also worn by Litvak Jews (non-Hasidim who belong to the original Ashkenazi community of Jerusalem, also known as Perushim). The shtreimel is generally worn after marriage, although it may be worn by boys after bar-mitzvah age in some communities.
HistoryEdit
There is speculation surrounding the origin of the shtreimel. Different theories hold that it is of Tatar, Turkish, Russian, or Polish<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> origin, but it is not possible to establish a clear chronology.<ref name="Lorch">Template:Cite news</ref> A common view is that the shtreimel was adapted by Jews living in Europe as a warm winter hat,<ref name=":1" /> possibly inspired by nobility;<ref>Berel Wein: Living Jewish: Values, Practices and Traditions, p. 111; pp. 247–248. Mesorah Publications, 2002.</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=njop>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> the shtreimel is comparable in construction to fur hats historically worn by gentile nobles and commoners across Europe and Russia.<ref name=njop/><ref name="sztrajmel">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> According to the Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw, the shtreimel could come from a period in the 17th century when Oriental costumes were considered fashionable by the nobility of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (Sarmatism).<ref name="sztrajmel" /> One legend says that the initial reason for adopting the shtreimel was that the Jews were forced to wear an animal tail as a public humiliation.<ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Types of shtreimelsEdit
Shtreimels worn by the Hasidim of Galicia, Romania, and Hungary, and Lithuanian Jews up until the 20th century were made of a large circular piece of black velvet surrounded by fur.Template:Cn
Hasidim originating from Congress Poland wear a high shtreimel (often called a spodik). Template:Cn The shtreimel of the Rebbes of the Ruzhin and Skolye dynasties is pointed upward.<ref name=":2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
SymbolismEdit
While there is strong religious custom for Jewish males to cover their heads, from the standpoint of Jewish law there is no religious significance to the use of the shtreimel as the head covering. However, the wearing of two head coverings (the shtreimel is always worn over a yarmulke) is considered to add additional spiritual merit, plus the presence of beautiful craftsmanship adds beautification and honour to the custom.Template:Citation needed Such headgear is worn on special occasions (such as Shabbat), in the synagogue, or by office-holders such as rabbis.Template:Citation needed
According to Rabbi Aaron Wertheim, Rabbi Pinchas of Koretz (1726–1791) stated that "[t]he acronym for Shabbos is: Shtreimel Bimkom Tefillin - the shtreimel takes the place of tefillin."<ref name="Arnon196">Halachos V'halichos B'chasidus, p. 196</ref> Since wearing special clothing on Shabbat is a form of sanctification, among the Hasidim of Galicia, Poland and Hungary the shtreimel is associated with the holiness of Shabbat, a crown such as that worn by royalty, which enhances and beautifies Shabbat.Template:Citation needed
Arnon asserts that the number of furs used in the manufacture of the shtreimel has some significance. Common numbers are 13, 18, and 26, corresponding respectively to the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy, the numerical value (gematria) of the word for life (Template:Langx), and the numerical value of the Tetragrammaton.<ref name=Arnon88>Arnon, p.88</ref> Contemporary shtreimlach may include higher numbers of tails. At least one maker creates shtreimelach with 42 tails, symbolizing the 42-letter Divine Name.<ref name=":2" />
Male Orthodox Jews can be highly conservative regarding headgear, and some traditional Jews still wear Western-invented fedoras or homburgs.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
ManufactureEdit
The shtreimel is typically custom-made from the tails of Canadian or Russian sable, beech marten, baum marten (European pine marten), or gray fox. The shtreimel is almost always the most costly article of Hasidic clothing.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Usually, but not always, the bride's father purchases the shtreimel for the groom upon his wedding. <ref name=":2" /> Nowadays, it is customary in the United States to purchase two shtreimels; a cheaper version, called the regen shtreimel ("rain shtreimel"), is for occasions when the expensive one may get damaged.<ref name=":2" /> In Israel, due to the economic circumstances of most members of the Hasidic community in that country, the vast majority of shtreimel-wearers own only one shtreimel. The shtreimel manufacturers (shtreimel machers) keep their trade a closely guarded secret.<ref name=Arnon208>Arnon p.208</ref>