Aliyot | Burial of Shemot | Decorum During Services
| El Maleh Rachamin
| Erev Pesach on Shabbat | Hanukah | Havdalah | High Holidays | High Holiday Dress | High Holidays Preparations
| How to Dress for Shul |
Jewish Books | The
Kaddish | Kedushah | Keriah
Mi Sheberach | the Machzor | Mitzvah Minyanaires | Mourning | Pesach | Prayer
| Proper Behavior in Shul
| Proper Dress for Children in Shul | Purim Ritual
Objects | Ritual Practices | Rosh Chodesh | Seudah Shlishit | Shabbat | Shavout
| Shiva | Traditions
| Visiting the Sick
How to Dress for Shul
Alvin Stern
As we approach the High Holidays, let us talk about the appropriate forms of
clothing for coming to shul, both on the holidays and at other times of the
year.
Even Moses had trouble knowing what to wear. On his first encounter with G-d
at the Burning Bush in the Sinai Desert, he was told to take off his shoes,
since he was standing on holy ground! Later, G-d had to tell him to take his
staff with him when he went to speak with Pharoah. So what about us?
While in some synagogues, the proper dress might be very casual, even on Shabbat,
we at TBS strive for a dignified, respectful manner of dress. This should help
set the mood for the communication we are about to have with G-d. On weekdays,
we come to minyan wearing more casual clothes. Though we are praying to G-d,
the services are somewhat casual and short, and since we are taking time out
from our busy schedules, we literally often come just as we are.
Rosh Hashanah is like the other major holidays of our year – Pesach,
Shavuot and Sukkot – we dress in our best or Shabbat clothes. For men,
this generally means a sport coat or suit, dress shirt and tie. Though many
leave off the jacket and tie in the summer months, we must remember that coming
to shul is like going to a King’s palace, and we want to look our best
when in the presence of royalty. For women, proper Shabbat and holiday dress
includes dresses and skirts, and business-world style pant suits. Shorts, bare
midriffs and other clothing that is neither dignified nor respectful is not
appropriate. Again, the concept of being in the presence of the King of Kings
is the guide for how to appear in shul.
Yom Kippur should also find us coming to shul in our best clothing. In addition,
it is traditional to wear white clothing on Yom Kippur – just as the Torah
scrolls are dressed in white mantels – representing both purity and a
clean slate for the new year. In addition, white can remind us of the white
used in burial shrouds, as a warning of the fate that lies in store for each
of us (though we may hope by our prayers to prolong our stay on Earth). Similarly,
it is traditional to wear a Kittel, a white robe, over our street clothes. Those
leading services wear the Kittel, but congregants may do so as well. In addition,
on Yom Kippur, we do not wear leather (belts or shoes). This is because, while
we are praying for life, it would be chutzpa on our part to be wearing something
from an animal that had to be killed for us to wear the leather. Leather is
also considered to be an item of luxury and adornment, and on Yom Kippur, we
don’t wear jewelry or clothing that demonstrates our wealth – all
of us stand as equals before G-d on the Day of Judgment. So, though it many
look odd at first, it is perfectly acceptable to wear your best suit or dress
with sneakers on Yom Kippur! |
