The Chassidic Attire: Difference between revisions
Created page with "thumb '''The Chassidic attire''' customary among Chabad chassidim differs from that of Polish chassidim and is more similar to what is customary in Lithuanian communities. It consists of a short suit on weekdays, and a long one on Shabbos for married men, a "kneitch" hat, and for married men also a gartel. Over the years, less emphasis has been placed in Chabad chassidus on maintaining a fixed style of dress, while the main investment w..." |
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[[File:שליח ציבור.jpeg|thumb]] | [[File:שליח ציבור.jpeg|thumb|The Rebbe stands as a shliach tzibbur (prayer leader) dressed in chassidic attire: wearing a kneitch hat, dressed in a sirtuk and wearing a gartel.]] | ||
'''The Chassidic attire''' customary among Chabad chassidim differs from that of Polish chassidim and is more similar to what is customary in Lithuanian communities. It consists of a short suit on weekdays, and a long one on Shabbos for married men, a "kneitch" hat, and for married men also a gartel. | '''The Chassidic attire''' customary among Chabad chassidim differs from that of Polish chassidim and is more similar to what is customary in Lithuanian communities. It consists of a short suit on weekdays, and a long one on Shabbos for married men, a "[[The Kneitch Hat|kneitch]]" hat, and for married men also a gartel. | ||
Over the years, less emphasis has been placed in Chabad chassidus on maintaining a fixed style of dress, while the main investment was on the inner quality of the chassid and his conduct. Nevertheless, there was caution not to sink into and be preoccupied with following fashion. | Over the years, less emphasis has been placed in Chabad chassidus on maintaining a fixed style of dress, while the main investment was on the inner quality of the chassid and his conduct. Nevertheless, there was caution not to sink into and be preoccupied with following fashion. | ||
[[File:ר מענדל תשרי נב.gif|thumb]] | [[File:ר מענדל תשרי נב.gif|thumb|'''Picture number 1:''' Reb Mendel Futerfas wearing a kasket (cap) that was customary in Russia.]] | ||
== Avoiding Wearing Fashionable Clothing == | == Avoiding Wearing Fashionable Clothing == | ||
Before the wedding of Reb Nachum - the grandson of the Alter Rebbe, the Alter Rebbe approached him and asked if he would agree to tear the beautiful part of the fur on the lapel of the silk and leather coat in which he was supposed to enter the chuppah. Reb Nachum said he did not agree and did not want to do so, even when the Alter Rebbe offered to learn with him in exchange. But the Alter Rebbe told him that if he agreed, he would merit to be "with me in my domain" in the World to Come. Reb Nachum wanted to agree, but still asked whether he should do this because he truly wanted to replace the expensive silk with a patch, or do it with "kabbalas ol" (acceptance of the yoke) because the Alter Rebbe commanded him to do so. The Alter Rebbe said that he should truly want it with the truth of the "yechidah," and Reb Nachum was silent - because he truly did not want to sew a patch on the coat. On the wedding day, Reb Nachum went to receive a blessing from the Alter Rebbe before the chuppah, and then the Alter Rebbe tore off part of the collar and promised him longevity in return. In his later years, Reb Nachum established his residence in Haditch - near the gravesite of the Alter Rebbe - in order to atone for not wanting in his youth to tear the fur and sew the patch sincerely. | Before the wedding of Reb Nachum - the grandson of [[the Alter Rebbe]], the Alter Rebbe approached him and asked if he would agree to tear the beautiful part of the fur on the lapel of the silk and leather coat in which he was supposed to enter the chuppah. Reb Nachum said he did not agree and did not want to do so, even when the Alter Rebbe offered to learn with him in exchange. But the Alter Rebbe told him that if he agreed, he would merit to be "with me in my domain" in the World to Come. Reb Nachum wanted to agree, but still asked whether he should do this because he truly wanted to replace the expensive silk with a patch, or do it with "kabbalas ol" (acceptance of the yoke) because the Alter Rebbe commanded him to do so. The Alter Rebbe said that he should truly want it with the truth of the "yechidah," and Reb Nachum was silent - because he truly did not want to sew a patch on the coat. On the wedding day, Reb Nachum went to receive a blessing from the Alter Rebbe before the chuppah, and then the Alter Rebbe tore off part of the collar and promised him longevity in return. In his later years, Reb Nachum established his residence in Haditch - near the gravesite of the Alter Rebbe - in order to atone for not wanting in his youth to tear the fur and sew the patch sincerely. | ||
The Rebbe told this story several times and explained that in every generation there is the "klipah" and the trials that are aroused by it, and the Alter Rebbe saw that in this generation the "klipah" and desire for beautiful, magnificent clothing was growing stronger. Therefore, the Alter Rebbe wanted to "break" and nullify this klipah by tearing the beautiful part of the elegant coat, to the extent that he promised in return "with me in my domain." | The Rebbe told this story several times and explained that in every generation there is the "klipah" and the trials that are aroused by it, and the Alter Rebbe saw that in this generation the "klipah" and desire for beautiful, magnificent clothing was growing stronger. Therefore, the Alter Rebbe wanted to "break" and nullify this klipah by tearing the beautiful part of the elegant coat, to the extent that he promised in return "with me in my domain." | ||
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The Rebbe Rashab spoke about the virtue of the externality of Poland, which is the matter of clothing, saying: "I am distressed and worried that we do not live in Poland" and this is due to the "Polish externality." | The Rebbe Rashab spoke about the virtue of the externality of Poland, which is the matter of clothing, saying: "I am distressed and worried that we do not live in Poland" and this is due to the "Polish externality." | ||
The Rebbe Rayatz also greatly praised the garments of Polish chassidim who are very recognizable in their Jewish garments, and said that he wished he could also institute these garments in Chabad. | The Rebbe Rayatz also greatly praised the garments of Polish chassidim who are very recognizable in their Jewish garments, and said that he wished he could also institute these garments in Chabad.[[File:אדמור הרייצ בצעירותו.jpg|thumb|'''Picture number 2:''' The Rebbe Rayatz in his youth, wearing a kneitch hat with the brim turned upward.]]To Polish chassidim who became close to Chabad chassidus who wanted to change their clothes to the Chabad style of dress, the Rebbe instructed them to continue wearing those garments. | ||
To Polish chassidim who became close to Chabad chassidus who wanted to change their clothes to the Chabad style of dress, the Rebbe instructed them to continue wearing those garments. | |||
You'd like me to translate the document without any caps and specifically use "Kneitch" instead of other variants. I'll retranslate the document with these specifications. | You'd like me to translate the document without any caps and specifically use "Kneitch" instead of other variants. I'll retranslate the document with these specifications. | ||
== Hat == | == Hat == | ||
In the early years, chabad chassidim would wear a round hat without brims called a kazirak, but later, throughout most of chabad chassidism's existence, the custom of chassidim in Russia was to wear a kasket - a hat with a visor (see example in picture 1). Following the decisions of the 'clothing decree', which required all Jews to wear uniform clothing - including a hat with front brims, the kasket. When the Tzemach Tzedek heard about this, he responded that this decree came from the 'klipah' (negative spiritual forces), which tries to prevent the concept of "Lift up your eyes on high and see who created all these" - meaning, looking at the heavens and thereby reaching contemplation of Hashem's greatness and majesty. When the Tzemach Tzedek's chassidim heard this, they cleverly fulfilled the decree by wearing the kasket with the visor facing backward - toward the back of the neck. | In the early years, chabad chassidim would wear a round hat without brims called a kazirak, but later, throughout most of chabad chassidism's existence, the custom of chassidim in Russia was to wear a kasket - a hat with a visor (see example in picture 1). Following the decisions of the 'clothing decree', which required all Jews to wear uniform clothing - including a hat with front brims, the kasket. When the Tzemach Tzedek heard about this, he responded that this decree came from the 'klipah' (negative spiritual forces), which tries to prevent the concept of "Lift up your eyes on high and see who created all these" - meaning, looking at the heavens and thereby reaching contemplation of Hashem's greatness and majesty. When the Tzemach Tzedek's chassidim heard this, they cleverly fulfilled the decree by wearing the kasket with the visor facing backward - toward the back of the neck. | ||
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Expanded entry - Shtreimel | Expanded entry - Shtreimel | ||
[[File:יהושע רוקח 2.jpg|thumb|'''Picture number 8''': Rabbi Yehoshua Rokeach of Machnovka-Belz wearing a shtreimel and dressed in a kapote of the "kaftan" style.]] | |||
[[File: | |||
Picture number 8: Rabbi Yehoshua Rokeach of Machnovka-Belz wearing a shtreimel and dressed in a kapote of the "kaftan" style. | |||
Shtreimel (in Hebrew: mezanevet, meaning: garment made from an animal's tail) is a hat made from animal tails (usually fox), considered chassidic attire and regarded as Shabbos clothing worn only on Shabbos, holidays, and simchas (see example in picture 8). | Shtreimel (in Hebrew: mezanevet, meaning: garment made from an animal's tail) is a hat made from animal tails (usually fox), considered chassidic attire and regarded as Shabbos clothing worn only on Shabbos, holidays, and simchas (see example in picture 8). | ||
[[File:צמח צדק.jpg|thumb]] | [[File:צמח צדק.jpg|thumb|'''Picture number 5:''' The Tzemach Tzedek wearing a shtreimel and dressed in Shabbos clothes that he inherited from the Alter Rebbe.]] | ||
Similar to it is the kolpik, which serves as an equivalent to the shtreimel, and is worn on special weekdays, such as Rosh Chodesh, fast days, and chassidic dates by the Rebbe, and on Shabbos and holidays by the Rebbe's sons and grandsons who are not yet married. | Similar to it is the kolpik, which serves as an equivalent to the shtreimel, and is worn on special weekdays, such as Rosh Chodesh, fast days, and chassidic dates by the Rebbe, and on Shabbos and holidays by the Rebbe's sons and grandsons who are not yet married. | ||
[[File:אדמור הרייץ.jpg|thumb]] | [[File:אדמור הרייץ.jpg|thumb|'''Picture number 6''': The Rebbe Rayatz wearing a shtreimel that is now called a 'kolpik'.]] | ||
Equivalent to the shtreimel and kolpik is the spodik, which is wider than the kolpik and lighter in color than both the kolpik and shtreimel (see example in picture 7), and is customary instead of the shtreimel in chassidic courts originating from Poland such as Ger, Aleksander, Sochatchov, and others. It is worn in these places instead of the shtreimel as part of a compromise made by the chassidim of the "Chiddushei Harim" of Ger with the Polish government during the "clothing decree" period, to change the Jewish attire (short pants and shtreimel) to the Cossack attire which consisted of a spodik, "Cossack socks," and a beard. | Equivalent to the shtreimel and kolpik is the spodik, which is wider than the kolpik and lighter in color than both the kolpik and shtreimel (see example in picture 7), and is customary instead of the shtreimel in chassidic courts originating from Poland such as Ger, Aleksander, Sochatchov, and others. It is worn in these places instead of the shtreimel as part of a compromise made by the chassidim of the "Chiddushei Harim" of Ger with the Polish government during the "clothing decree" period, to change the Jewish attire (short pants and shtreimel) to the Cossack attire which consisted of a spodik, "Cossack socks," and a beard. | ||
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==== The chabad custom ==== | ==== The chabad custom ==== | ||
[[File:שטריימל של הרבי הריי"צ בספרית אגו"ח.jpg|thumb|The Rebbe Rayatz's shtreimel today.]] | |||
[[File:שטריימל של הרבי הריי"צ בספרית אגו"ח.jpg|thumb | |||
The Rebbe Rayatz's shtreimel today. | |||
The Rebbe Rayatz and the Rebbe Rashab were careful to wear the shtreimel only in Lubavitch, following the instruction of the Rebbe Maharash to the Rebbe Rashab before his wedding in Avrutch to be careful and wear the shtreimel only in Lubavitch. So since the Rebbe Rashab and the Rebbe Rayatz left Lubavitch, they did not wear a shtreimel again, until the Shabbos before the Rebbe's wedding, when the Rebbe Rayatz returned to wearing the Rebbe Rashab's shtreimel. The type of shtreimel that was worn by the Rebbe Rayatz was a kolpik. | chabad's custom was always like other chassidic courts. Thus, in the painting of the Tzemach Tzedek (see picture 6), he appears dressed in Shabbos clothes and wearing a shtreimel inherited from the Alter Rebbe. It is told about the Mitteler Rebbe that every Yom Kippur he would sit between Mincha and Neilah (and according to another version, between Mussaf and Neilah), and was so deep in thought that sweat would drip from the upper edge of the shtreimel he wore. The Rebbe Rashab would tell this story and note the greatness of the Mitteler Rebbe's mental exertion, to the extent that it's impossible to estimate what was accomplished by him during that time.[[File:מלצר.JPG|thumb|'''Picture number 7''': Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer wearing a spodik]]The Rebbe Rayatz and the Rebbe Rashab were careful to wear the shtreimel only in Lubavitch, following the instruction of the Rebbe Maharash to the Rebbe Rashab before his wedding in Avrutch to be careful and wear the shtreimel only in Lubavitch. So since the Rebbe Rashab and the Rebbe Rayatz left Lubavitch, they did not wear a shtreimel again, until the Shabbos before the Rebbe's wedding, when the Rebbe Rayatz returned to wearing the Rebbe Rashab's shtreimel. The type of shtreimel that was worn by the Rebbe Rayatz was a kolpik. | ||
It is told that in the Alter Rebbe's minyan, every person called to the Torah had to wear a shtreimel during his aliyah, and those who didn't have a shtreimel would receive one for this purpose from the gabbai. Once, when the gabbai couldn't find the shtreimel, he gave the Alter Rebbe's shtreimel to the person called up. When the Alter Rebbe came to put on his hat at the end of the prayer, he asked the gabbai if someone had worn the shtreimel. When the gabbai told him what happened, the Alter Rebbe asked to call the hatter, and requested him to undo all the stitches in the shtreimel so that it would come apart, and then to sew it back together. When the work was done, the hatter hung the shtreimel to dry over the fire and forgot about it all night. When he discovered in the morning that the shtreimel had burned and came to inform the Alter Rebbe, before he began to speak about it, the Alter Rebbe asked him if the hat had burned, and when the hatter answered that this had happened, the Alter Rebbe told him that it was not terrible. | It is told that in the Alter Rebbe's minyan, every person called to the Torah had to wear a shtreimel during his aliyah, and those who didn't have a shtreimel would receive one for this purpose from the gabbai. Once, when the gabbai couldn't find the shtreimel, he gave the Alter Rebbe's shtreimel to the person called up. When the Alter Rebbe came to put on his hat at the end of the prayer, he asked the gabbai if someone had worn the shtreimel. When the gabbai told him what happened, the Alter Rebbe asked to call the hatter, and requested him to undo all the stitches in the shtreimel so that it would come apart, and then to sew it back together. When the work was done, the hatter hung the shtreimel to dry over the fire and forgot about it all night. When he discovered in the morning that the shtreimel had burned and came to inform the Alter Rebbe, before he began to speak about it, the Alter Rebbe asked him if the hat had burned, and when the hatter answered that this had happened, the Alter Rebbe told him that it was not terrible. | ||
[[File:הנחת אבן הפינה.jpg|thumb]] | [[File:הנחת אבן הפינה.jpg|thumb|'''Picture number 3''': The Rebbe laying the cornerstone for the expansion of 770, dressed in a sirtuk, wearing a gartel, and a kneitch hat. The 'triangle' can be seen in the picture.]] | ||
The Rebbe did not wear a shtreimel, and there are two contradictory explanations for this: The first opinion holds that the Rebbe wanted to wear a shtreimel - but only the Rebbe Rayatz's shtreimel, but since Chana Gurary still supported her husband - the Rashag - to be the Rebbe at that time, she did not give it to the Rebbe, and so the situation remained that the Rebbe did not wear a shtreimel. The second opinion is that the Rebbe did not want to wear a shtreimel at all, claiming that "the shtreimel is Rebbishe attire," and that this was another aspect of the Rebbe's relationship with the Rebbe Rayatz as continuing the leadership even after his passing, despite Rabbi Ephraim Yolles' urging that he begin to wear a shtreimel. | The Rebbe did not wear a shtreimel, and there are two contradictory explanations for this: The first opinion holds that the Rebbe wanted to wear a shtreimel - but only the Rebbe Rayatz's shtreimel, but since Chana Gurary still supported her husband - the Rashag - to be the Rebbe at that time, she did not give it to the Rebbe, and so the situation remained that the Rebbe did not wear a shtreimel. The second opinion is that the Rebbe did not want to wear a shtreimel at all, claiming that "the shtreimel is Rebbishe attire," and that this was another aspect of the Rebbe's relationship with the Rebbe Rayatz as continuing the leadership even after his passing, despite Rabbi Ephraim Yolles' urging that he begin to wear a shtreimel. | ||
[[File:א.jpg|thumb]] | [[File:א.jpg|thumb|'''Picture number 4''': The Rebbe Rashab wearing a Hamburg hat, which is worn today mainly by rabbis from the Lithuanian sector and Satmar chassidim.]] | ||
The Rebbe of Chortkov entered for a yechidus with the Rebbe, and after receiving permission to make a suggestion to the Rebbe, said that if the Rebbe would 'remove' his hat and wear a shtreimel, thousands of chassidim would join his court. The Rebbe began to laugh loudly and asked him what kind of Jews would become his chassidim as a result of the shtreimel, who need specifically a shtreimel and not a hat. The chassid answered that these would be Jews of all types, and began to list many types of chassidic groups, saying that those Jews would not be comfortable with having to go on Shabbos with a hat and not with a shtreimel. The Rebbe answered him that if he meant those Jews, "what's wrong with the chassidic courts they are in that they need to be my chassidim specifically? What I want to know is how many kibbutzniks will become my chassidim as a result of me removing the hat and wearing a shtreimel!" | The Rebbe of Chortkov entered for a yechidus with the Rebbe, and after receiving permission to make a suggestion to the Rebbe, said that if the Rebbe would 'remove' his hat and wear a shtreimel, thousands of chassidim would join his court. The Rebbe began to laugh loudly and asked him what kind of Jews would become his chassidim as a result of the shtreimel, who need specifically a shtreimel and not a hat. The chassid answered that these would be Jews of all types, and began to list many types of chassidic groups, saying that those Jews would not be comfortable with having to go on Shabbos with a hat and not with a shtreimel. The Rebbe answered him that if he meant those Jews, "what's wrong with the chassidic courts they are in that they need to be my chassidim specifically? What I want to know is how many kibbutzniks will become my chassidim as a result of me removing the hat and wearing a shtreimel!" | ||
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==== Kneitch hat ==== | ==== Kneitch hat ==== | ||
Expanded entry - [[The Kneitch Hat|Kneitch Hat]] | Expanded entry - [[The Kneitch Hat|Kneitch Hat]] | ||
Today most chabad chassidim customarily wear a folded hat called a "kneitch hat" named after the "kneitch" - the "fold" in Yiddish. This hat is built with inward folds ("eyes") on both sides, and along the dome of the hat there is a crease along its entire length. | Today most chabad chassidim customarily wear a folded hat called a "kneitch hat" named after the "kneitch" - the "fold" in Yiddish. This hat is built with inward folds ("eyes") on both sides, and along the dome of the hat there is a crease along its entire length. | ||
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== Avnet - Gartel == | == Avnet - Gartel == | ||
''Expanded article - '''Avnet''''' | ''Expanded article - '''Avnet''''' | ||
[[File:גארטל.PNG|thumb]] | [[File:גארטל.PNG|thumb|The Gartel]] | ||
The '''avnet''' (also called '''gartel''') is an item of clothing that chassidim customarily tie around their garments at elbow height during prayer, with the purpose of separating between the upper part of the body and the lower part. The origin of this custom is from the priestly garments, which the kohanim would wear during their service in the Beit HaMikdash. The Rebbe was particular that the length of both ends of the gartel should reach the ends of the sirtuk. | The '''avnet''' (also called '''gartel''') is an item of clothing that chassidim customarily tie around their garments at elbow height during prayer, with the purpose of separating between the upper part of the body and the lower part. The origin of this custom is from the priestly garments, which the kohanim would wear during their service in the Beit HaMikdash. The Rebbe was particular that the length of both ends of the gartel should reach the ends of the sirtuk. | ||
