The rules of modest dress that Orthodox Jewish people usually follow, and the tradition of wearing head coverings (including for married women) are not directly taken from the Torah. They are Rabbinically instituted from the Talmud.

Different types of kippah (plural: kippot, head covering usually worn by men), is often an indication of which group within Judaism someone identifies with. Charedi men, for example, generally wear only plain black, often velvet, kippot (also known by the Yiddish terms yarmulke or kappel), while knitted or crocheted kippot are more frequently worn by Modern Orthodox men.

The Torah forbids men from wearing women’s clothes and vice versa (Deuteronomy 22:5). It does not specify which items of clothing are specific to either men or women, so it will depend on the prevailing norms in different societies. This is why Orthodox Jewish women in Europe and North America usually wear skirts rather than trousers. As you would expect, the kilt is differentiated from skirts and regarded as men’s clothing.

Modesty is important for both men and women. Skimpy and low-cut clothes that that are designed to reveal parts of the body, or tight clothes that draw undue attention to body shape, are avoided. Orthodox Jewish women usually wear skirts that fall below the knees, and tops with long sleeves.

The Torah prohibits mixing wool and linen in a single garment. (Other mixtures such as cotton and linen or wool and silk are permitted.)

How many occasions or places can you think of where a specific type of clothing is appropriate?

Why do you think Orthodox Judaism prefers men and women to wear different types of clothing?

What do you think about the idea that women are naturally more spiritual and closer to G-d, and therefore do not need a constant reminder of G-d’s presence?

Why do you think the Torah prohibits mixing different fabrics as well as ‘mixing’ different seeds, and different species of cattle?