Everything about Kittel totally explained
» This article is about the Jewish robe. For other uses of "kittel", see kittel (disambiguation).
A
kittel (
Yiddish: קיטל;, robe) is a white robe worn on special occasions by
Ashkenazi Jews. In western Europe this garment is called a
Sargenes. The word
Sargenes is related to the Old french
Serge as well as Latin
Serica. The term has mainly fallen out of use in modern times.
The
kittel, or
sargenes, is worn on the High Holidays of
Rosh Hashanah and
Yom Kippur. It is also used as a burial shroud, providing simple dress that assures equality for all in death.
The wearing of a
kittel on the High Holidays is symbolically linked to its use as a burial shroud, and, to the verse "our sins shall be made as white as snow" (
Isaiah 1:18)
According to many traditions a
bridegroom wears a
kittel on his
wedding day. Many Jews also wear a
kittel when leading the
Passover Seder. In some communities, the
cantor wears it during certain special services during the year, such as the first night of
Selichot, the seventh day of the Holiday of
Sukkot (also known as
Hoshanah Rabbah), the
Musaf prayers of
Shemini Atzeret and the first day of
Passover, where the prayers for
rain (Tefilat HaGeshem) and
dew (Tefilat HaTal) are respectively recited.
The white color is said to symbolize purity, which partly explains its use during
weddings. It is also felt to signify unity with the
bride (who also wears white) and the beginning of a new life together.
Further Information
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