An Open Letter to My American Orthodox Brothers

[Please note: This post does NOT express my true opinion about this subject, but is an illustration of my point made in my previous post – namely, that sometimes those who are not intimately aware of a specific situation can err when giving mussar (advice), as logical and well-meaning as this advice may seem to be.]

I have followed the news about anti-Semitic incidents in America in the past few years with growing dismay.

The attack on the subway in Brooklyn and the vicious beating of a Rabbi in Lakewood have filled me with horror. I can’t imagine the pain felt by the victims themselves and the anguish felt by their relatives and friends, and my heart goes out to them.

As sad as these events are, I can’t help thinking that they could have been avoided.

I am sure that many people believe that expressing your Judaism is perfectly reasonable, and even laudable – even in places where Jews are a tiny minority, such as in America.

But it isn’t – not if it puts you in danger.

Orthodox men do not have the obligation to wear a head covering in public. The halacha (Jewish law) of wearing a yarmulka (skullcap) originates in a minhag (custom) and therefore there are many authorities who have ruled that it is obligatory just when eating and praying, and not at all times.

This halacha seems to have been lost on the many Orthodox Jewish men who wear head coverings at all times – even in public. This practice clearly identifies them as Jews and opens them up to attack – even in areas like Brooklyn and Lakewood where anti-Semitic attacks have occurred!

When will the Orthodox Rabbis put a stop to this dangerous habit? When will they stipulate that yarmulka wearing is only acceptable in areas where there is a consensus that it is safe – in the private domain and in the synagogue?

When will my American Orthodox brothers stop wearing yamulkas or hats or shtreimels on the street? What has this accomplished? How does Klal Yisrael benefit from them putting themselves at risk?

Signed,

A Concerned Israeli Jew