๐งตon sidelocks ืคืืืช
1) The first question I always get when travelling in the West is why we grow long sidelocks?
The short answer is: it's not a fashion statement but rather an ancient Jewish tradition dating back at least 3,000 years
But there is much more to it...
1) The first question I always get when travelling in the West is why we grow long sidelocks?
The short answer is: it's not a fashion statement but rather an ancient Jewish tradition dating back at least 3,000 years
But there is much more to it...
2) The source for sidelocks in the Torah is in Leviticus 19:27
You shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard
ืึนึฃื ืชึทืงึดึผึืคืึผ ืคึฐึผืึทึืช ืจึนืืฉึฐืืึถึื ืึฐืึนึฃื ืชึทืฉึฐืืึดึืืช ืึตึืช ืคึฐึผืึทึฅืช ืึฐืงึธื ึถึฝืึธ
You shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard
ืึนึฃื ืชึทืงึดึผึืคืึผ ืคึฐึผืึทึืช ืจึนืืฉึฐืืึถึื ืึฐืึนึฃื ืชึทืฉึฐืืึดึืืช ืึตึืช ืคึฐึผืึทึฅืช ืึฐืงึธื ึถึฝืึธ
3) The Mishna and Talmud discussed various opinions as to the definition of the "corner of the head"
The rationale was to differentiate from idol worshippers who shaved the side of their heads at the time
Yemeni and Hassidic Jews would let their sidelocks grow particularly long
The rationale was to differentiate from idol worshippers who shaved the side of their heads at the time
Yemeni and Hassidic Jews would let their sidelocks grow particularly long
4) We have evidence of sidelocks from the 5th Century via the Jewish Himyarite Kingdom that ruled #Yemen at the time. The King Yusuf Asar Yathar was nicknamed Dhu Nuwas ุฐูู ููููุงุณ which means "The one with sidelocks" in Arabic
Sidelocks are prevalent in Himyarite era coins
Sidelocks are prevalent in Himyarite era coins
5) We also have evidence from several early authentic Islamic scholars
For example, Abdullah ibn Masud ุนุจุฏ ุงููู ุจู ู ุณุนูุฏ a companion of Muhammad and one of the most prominent authors of the Hadith claims another of Muhammad's companions is Jewish because he grew 2 sidelocks
For example, Abdullah ibn Masud ุนุจุฏ ุงููู ุจู ู ุณุนูุฏ a companion of Muhammad and one of the most prominent authors of the Hadith claims another of Muhammad's companions is Jewish because he grew 2 sidelocks
6) In #Yemen all Jews grew long sidelocks
This tradition can be seen in pictures and videos of our community from both South and North Yemen
This tradition can be seen in pictures and videos of our community from both South and North Yemen
7) Yemenis call sidelocks simonim ืกืืื ืื which literally means signs or marks
While Ashkenazis do not cut children's hair until age 3, Yemeni Jews follow a different custom, and hence kids start growing out their sidelocks as soon as they are born ๐ถ๐พ
While Ashkenazis do not cut children's hair until age 3, Yemeni Jews follow a different custom, and hence kids start growing out their sidelocks as soon as they are born ๐ถ๐พ
8) Contrary to popular belief, this tradition is not limited to Yemeni and Hassidic Jews. Prior to the 20th Century, many Jewish communities across the globe followed this tradition
Here is a picture of a Jew from Cochin #India ๐ฎ๐ณ circa 1900
Here is a picture of a Jew from Cochin #India ๐ฎ๐ณ circa 1900
9) Although sidelocks were not common in North Africa in the 1950s, we see them everywhere 20 years earlier. Rav Yoseph Messas said Moroccan Jews traditionally grew sidelocks but stopped due to French influence
A Jew from the Atlas Mountains in #Morocco๐ฒ๐ฆwith long sidelocks
A Jew from the Atlas Mountains in #Morocco๐ฒ๐ฆwith long sidelocks
11) The influence of Kabbalah (Jewish Mysticism) had an effect on the tradition of sidelocks
The Arizal, a famous 16th C mystical Rabbi, warned that sidelocks should not cover the ears
This influence can be seen on Rabbi Haim Doweck of Allepo #Syria ๐ธ๐พ who had shorter sidelocks
The Arizal, a famous 16th C mystical Rabbi, warned that sidelocks should not cover the ears
This influence can be seen on Rabbi Haim Doweck of Allepo #Syria ๐ธ๐พ who had shorter sidelocks
12) The same can be seen in early pictures from Uzbekistan ๐บ๐ฟ where Jews grew short sidelocks and shaved the rest of their hair
13) In the Hassidic world sidecurls are a very strong tradition. The Belz Rebbe had a famous saying in Yiddish that longer sidecurls showcase one's fear of God
14) Even within the Hassidic world, there are somewhat different traditions
Satmar Hassidim have a tradition to grow thicker sidecurls
Satmar Hassidim have a tradition to grow thicker sidecurls
15) Bresolv Hassidim grow very long sidecurls
This is based on the mystical teaching of Rabbi Nachman of Breslev that one who grows long sidecurls will be pulled out of the hellfire only if they are long enough ๐ฅ
This is based on the mystical teaching of Rabbi Nachman of Breslev that one who grows long sidecurls will be pulled out of the hellfire only if they are long enough ๐ฅ
16) Even if you think someone doesn't have sidecurls, look closely!
Lithuanian Jews (non Hassidic) typically fold their sidelocks behind their ears
Lithuanian Jews (non Hassidic) typically fold their sidelocks behind their ears
17) Today in #Israel, sidecurls are very popular and can be seen everywhere
For example, on the Israeli version of "American Idol"
For example, on the Israeli version of "American Idol"
18) Even on some news anchors, something which would have been unimaginable a decade ago
19) It's also interesting to see the tradition of sidecurls being adopted by communities that did not originally have this custom
Popular #Ethiopian Rabbi Baruch Gezhayi
Popular #Ethiopian Rabbi Baruch Gezhayi
20) So hopefully the next time you see someone with sidecurls you won't think it's strange! ๐๐พ
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