jewish hair

[vicster2006]

Hi There, why do some jewish people have the hair in ringlets at the side?? ive always wondered.

thanks

[cherryelm]

Hasidic and Orthodox Jews wear their hair in this way to show theirfaith

[makemesmile]

Those that follow Lavital law abide by not 'cutting' any part of themselves. I (think) that some cut their hair but leave the visible sideburns as a symbol of their faith.

Also, just found out that orthodox Jews wont have tattoos (same Levital law) - you learn something new every day!

[jno]

do they do circumcision?

[makemesmile]

True - sounds hypocritical - but Jew's still do that bit.

[MustafaTickl]

If you convert to the Jewish faith after the age of 27 you have to physically circumcise yourself if it has not already been done.

[Clanad]

Perhaps a bit of reality here... the "ringlets" are known as Peyot and are worn by Hasisdic Jews, not Orthodox. The custom is observed because of the admonition in Leviticus 19:27, which commands "You shall not round off the corner of your head, and you shall not destroy the edge of your beard" ... Simply stated, Hasidim (plural of Hasidic) are Orthodox but Orthodox aren't Hasidim. Since there is no one unifying Orthodox body, there is no one official statement of principles of faith. Hasidim generally attribute the foundation of their branch of Judaisim to Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer sometime in the early 1700's in Poland.
As in many religious groups, myths abound and are especially accepted outside of that faith. MustafaTicki's post is a good example of that... Self-mutilation, such as suggested by the referenced post, is expressly prohibited in Leviticus 19:28, (and elsewhere) which is also the prohibition against tattooing: "Do not make gashes in your skin for the dead. Do not make any marks on your skin. I am God"

[saxy_jag]

The tattoo thing is interesting. Is that the reason why the nazi practice of tattooing numbers onto prisoners was such an affront to Jewish dignity?

[MustafaTickl]

Not necessarily, saxi_jag. It was the German habit of murdering them which seemed to get up their backs more.

[jno]

so, Clanad, how is circumcision squared with Leviticus? (My own feeling is that Leviticus ought to be quietly abandoned altogether, and people who curse their parents should be sent to their room rather than put to death; but I'm a softy.)

[saxy_jag]

I appreciate that, Mustafa, but the tattoo must have been one heck of an insult.

[Clanad]

The Covenant of Circumcisison is found in Genesis Chapter 17, not Leviticus, jno. The 618 commandments of Leviticus are clearly intended for health, tribal and cultural purposes. Some, such as the dietary laws are still valid today and much of our modern sanitary practices have an observable origin in Leviticus. Other's, including commandments of death for certain practices that we find innocous today, had their purpose in establishing order and valuation of law in a time and place that we can't begin to understand. That's another entire discussion on it's own and too lengthy for this forum. Point being, the part of the Covenant G-d required of Abraham (nee Abram) in Genesis is not in conflict with the Laws enumerated in Leviticus... in my opinion... Shalom!