The Kneitch Hat

The Kneitch hat is a fedora worn by Chabad chassidim, named after the fold (kneitch in Yiddish means "fold") on its upper side. Chabad chassidim customarily make a triangular shape on the upper side of the hat, creating three corners.

Background

From the beginning, Chabad chassidim wore a hat as a second head covering. In the early years, Chabad chassidim wore a round hat without brims called a Kazirak, and on special occasions they wore a Shtreimel. Following the clothing decree by Czar Nicholas in 1844, they replaced the Shtreimel and the hat they wore until then with a cap.

The Kneitch first arrived in Chabad during the time of the Rebbe Rashab, though some say it began during the time of the Rebbe Maharash. Until then, hats in general, and the Kneitch in particular, were considered modern dress by the elder chassidim, which is why most Chabad chassidim preferred to wear the cap.

Some say that Reb Nissan Nemenov wouldn't allow Temimim wearing a Kneitch to enter the yeshiva in Brunoy, claiming they were too modern, until they told him that the Rebbe wears a Kneitch hat.

History of the Kneitch in Chabad

In the early years, Chabad chassidim wore a round hat without brims called a Kazirak. During the clothing decree, Czar Nicholas ordered that Jews must wear a hat with a visor. When the Tzemach Tzedek heard this, he responded that this decree came from the klipah, trying 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 supremacy. When the chassidim of the Tzemach Tzedek heard this, they cleverly followed the decree by wearing the cap with the visor facing backward - toward the neck.

The chossid Reb Hillel Paritcher consequently wore a winter hat with a piece of fabric attached to the back (to protect the neck) even in summer, to avoid blocking the sky with the visor.

A chossid from those days said that initially, chassidim wore a sock-like hat without a visor or brims, so when they saw something beautiful, they could look up and see who created these things. But then the Russian authorities came and decreed that Jews must add a visor to their heads, which interfered with their ability to look up, though they could still turn it around. When the authorities saw that Jews were still able to see "who created these things," they ordered them to add brims to their hats, so no matter which way they turned it, they couldn't look up and direct their hearts to heaven.

Chabad Rebbes and the Kneitch

Chabad chassidim wore the Kneitch even before the Rebbe accepted the nesius (leadership), with some saying it started as early as the time of the Rebbe Maharash. What is known is that by the time of the Frierdiker Rebbe, many Chabad chassidim began wearing the Kneitch, as did most merchants of those days. When the Rebbe accepted the nesius on Yud Shevat 5711 (1951), most Chabad chassidim began wearing the Kneitch hat. However, some chassidim continued wearing their previous hats, such as the Rashag who wore a different type of hat called a cylinder, or those who continued wearing the cap, like the mashpia Reb Mendel Futerfas and the mashpia Reb Berke Chein.

Current Practice

Today, the Kneitch hat is the 'official' hat of Chabad chassidim, and there are chesed funds that provide vouchers for Kneitch hats at discounted prices for Temimim (yeshiva students). Currently, there are three funds that distribute Kneitch hats to Temimim:

1. One fund is financed by the Chabad philanthropist Reb Sholom Ber Drizin, and the hats are received at the "Baron Hats" chain stores. This fund is operated by Keren Chesed Avraham in partnership with Central Ata and Merkaz Chabad Olami.
2. The second network is funded by David Fisher, with hats received at "The Right Place" chain stores. This fund is operated by Vaad Talmidei HaTemimim HaOlami in partnership with Keren Chesed Shimshon.
3. The third fund is for Kvutzah students (those studying in 770 for a year).

The vouchers are typically received before Pesach.

By Our Rebbeim

The Frierdiker Rebbe in his youth wore a Kneitch hat.

Our Rebbeim, from the time of the Alter Rebbe until the leadership of the Rebbe Maharash, would wear a Shtreimel on their heads throughout the week, and did not wear any other type of hat. However, in 1844 (during the leadership of the Tzemach Tzedek), Czar Nicholas issued the clothing decree, where he ordered Jews to shorten and change their garments. Following this decree, Chabad chassidim replaced their hats with a Kasket and their Kapota with a Sirtuk.

The first time the Kneitch appeared in Chabad was during the leadership of the Rebbe Maharash. Due to his poor health condition, the Rebbe Maharash needed to travel between different towns and did not want to be recognized as a Rebbe. Therefore, he dressed as a merchant, wearing a Sirtuk and replacing the Shtreimel with a hat, some say it was a Kneitch. When traveling between towns, he wished to remain unrecognized as the Rebbe, so he dressed according to the merchants' custom of those days. However, besides the Kneitch, the Rebbe Maharash had other hats that he would wear.

In contrast, the Rebbe Rashab wore a different type of hat called Hamburg. However, from Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka's testimony, we know this wasn't a constant habit for the Rebbe Rashab. Generally, when he was in Lubavitch, he wore a Shtreimel, and only when leaving Lubavitch would he wear a hat, usually a Hamburg.

The Frierdiker Rebbe in his youth also wore a Kneitch hat with its brim turned upward, with the crease in his hat shaped like a triangle, as was the custom of merchants in those days. After some time, he changed the triangular crease to a circle, as was the custom of rabbanim. This continued for several years until he replaced the Kneitch with the Shtreimel he inherited from his father, the Rebbe Rashab.

The Rebbe wore a Kneitch hat from the time of his marriage on 14 Kislev 1928 to Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, and some say even before then. The Rebbe would turn the brim of the Kneitch downward, about which the Frierdiker Rebbe commented that the crease in the front shows the Rebbe's great humility.

On 10 Shevat 1950, the Frierdiker Rebbe passed away, and about a year later, on 10 Shevat 1951, the Rebbe accepted the leadership of Chabad. Initially, the Rebbe wanted to wear the Frierdiker Rebbe's Shtreimel, but in practice did not wear it and continued wearing the Kneitch. Chassidim point to several possibilities why the Rebbe stopped wearing the Shtreimel. One possibility is that when the Frierdiker Rebbe passed away, Rebbetzin Nechama Dina planned to give the Frierdiker Rebbe's Shtreimel to the Rebbe as a gift, but the Rebbe wanted to receive it as an inheritance, not as a gift, and therefore did not accept it.

Customs

The Chabad custom is to pray with a hat and suit. The reason for praying with a suit and fine clothing is analogous to how one would wear fine and elegant clothes when appearing before a flesh and blood king, all the more so when standing in prayer before the King of kings, Hashem. The reason for wearing a hat during prayer is to serve as a second head covering.

Its Significance

There is a concept of dedicating a special hat for Shabbos, as wearing the hat is directed toward the crown of Torah that was given on Shabbos. The Rebbe himself did not practice this custom.

Chabad chassidim customarily fold the Kneitch hat in a triangular shape with three folds corresponding to the three sefiros of Chochma, Binah, and Daas on which Chabad chassidus is based. Chassidim customarily fold the front of the hat downward. The Rebbe began this custom of folding the front of the Kneitch in his early years. The Frierdiker Rebbe commented about this that despite "him performing Tikkun Chatzos every night, knowing by heart the Bavli with the Ran, Rosh, and Rif, the Yerushalmi and its commentaries, the Rambam and Likkutei Torah with all its references - nevertheless he walks with his hat turned downward." Through this, the Frierdiker Rebbe emphasized that folding the Kneitch downward indicates humility and lowliness.

Once the Rebbe entered for Mincha prayer in the small zal wearing the Kneitch up. Before the Chazzan's repetition, the Rebbe turned to the congregation and saw that everyone had raised their Kneitch upward, and he signaled with his holy hand to lower it. Once the Rebbe saw a Jew on the street in Crown Heights walking with the Kneitch up, the Rebbe stopped him, pulled his Kneitch down and said (approximately): "Moshe, there needs to be a dwelling place in the lower realms."

Its Shape

The hat's crown has one central crease along its entire length. At the front of the hat's crown (where the hat is held) there are also two smaller creases ("eyes"). The hat is manufactured with its brim tilted upward similar to a Kapelush. Around the hat's crown and above its brim is a band stretched lengthwise, and attached to the band is a string with a button at its end. The reason for this is that in the days when merchants would wear the hat, they would secure it using the button to a special place designated for it on their suit.

See Also

• Shtreimel
• Kasket
• Sirtuk
• Gartel