Traditional Jewish clothing always attracts attention and seems outdated to many. This is not surprising, since the representatives of this nation have not changed their style of clothing for two centuries, and over several thousand years their national clothing has undergone many metamorphoses. But is it possible to combine tradition with modernity? Can we combine traditional Jewish clothing in our daily lives? The answer is YES. Some clothing can even serve as a fashionable wardrobe item for people with an authentic style.
The Flourishing Of The Jewish State And The Clothing Of That Time
The traditional clothing of the ancient Jews contains many elements borrowed from other nations, mainly for historical reasons. For this reason, some Jewish clothing resembles the clothing of Arab nomads. When the Jews moved to the other side of the Jordan, they retained the simplicity of everyday clothes. Although the first ruler of Israel, King Saul, was not inclined to luxury, it was during his reign that Jewish clothing became richer, brighter, and more varied. This fact was influenced by the spoils that Saul brought back from his military conquests. After the king was killed, David took his place. During her reign, folk costumes became richer and more varied, and they began to wear jewelry.
Borrowing From Other Cultures
David loved to surround himself with luxury and wealth, so the time came for the emergence of the Jewish state. The clothes of the wealthy members of society became especially luxurious. However, after times of uprisings and civil unrest, stability in the country was strengthened, and Israel split into two parts. At first, Judea was ruled by the Assyrians, and in 788 BC, by the Babylonians. If we look at the appearance of the Jews of that time in folk costume, we can see in their clothes many elements that are characteristic ornaments of the Assyrians. During the “Babylonian captivity”, Jewish clothing was practically no different from Babylonian clothing. Later, it changed more than once under the influence of Roman and Greek culture. Men wore woolen shirts with linen dresses on top. The sleeves could be long or short. Wearing a belt was also mandatory. Noble people had this clothing made of wool or linen, embroidered with gold, and also decorated with precious stones and buckles. The lower classes wore simple leather belts.
Clothes
The clothes for the richest population were divided into two types. After the Jewish state was liberated from slavery by the Babylonians, the Jews began to wear knee-length clothes with more open sleeves. The decoration of this type of clothing distinguished wealthy people. In the cold season, red products with fur were popular. At the waist, the product was decorated with a buckle. There was also a special element of the Jewish folk costume: it could be single or double. The double had two strips of fabric that were sewn especially so that it seemed that they were only on the shoulders. Both sides even fell back and forth. This shoulder strap was one of the most important attributes of the clergy’s clothing and was called an ephod.
Jewish Clothing In The Second Half Of The 19th Century
If you are looking for images of traditional Jewish costumes, here you will find two particularly important elements of the male Jewish costume. The main attributes are traditionally scarves and hats. The scarf is worn during prayer and is available in two colors: white and blue in one version and white and black in the other. The edges of the scarves are complemented by fringes.
What Are Tzitzits And Tallit?
Fringes are tassels found on traditional Jewish clothing. They are worn by men and serve as religious and traditional clothing, reminiscent of the commandments of Deuteronomy. These fringes were particularly intricate and were worn by the Israelites in ancient times. They can also be found on the four corners of the traditional religious scarf called the Tallit Katan. The term “Tzitzit Tzitzit” also refers to a small tallit. This tallit is very similar to a poncho and can be worn daily. Of course, a T-shirt will be worn underneath.
This part of the costume is very authentic. First of all, although it seems modern, its existence dates back to ancient times. The cords in each of the four corners of this scarf have a deeper religious meaning. Tallits were once made only of wool, while today they are made of wool, cotton, and synthetic materials. However, when it comes to color, the situation has not changed much, at least for now. Today, a wide range of traditional Jewish clothing can be found on the market. However, according to the Jewish Shop, it is always better to buy them from trusted manufacturers. Especially if you need them for use during a religious ceremony.
Beard
Interestingly, cutting the beard was prohibited by law. Like the Assyrians, the Jews respected this element. The beard was considered a sign of wealth and dignity. It was also believed that only free people could wear a beard. Jewish men carefully looked after their beards with oil and various incense. The most serious offense was to grab someone by the chin or pull their beard. But if a relative or close friend died, Jews often parted his beard or even cut it off completely.
Hair
The history of the hairstyle will also complement the description of the traditional costume of these people. Jews from simple families wore headscarves like the Arabs, or simply tied their hair with a cord. The rich wore simple Jewish turbans. Women from influential and rich families wore tiaras decorated with pearls, over which they usually threw a veil that covered the entire body. Their long hair was often woven with a row of pearls, gems precious stones, gold, and coral. Women always carefully looked after their hair: thick hair was highly valued. Rich young women often wore curls.
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