Here is your introduction – in case you need it – to a variety of religious bits and pieces in somewhat unusual contexts.
1. Tallis
The Tallis is worn by men, and not women in traditional Jewish practice (though not the case in Reform) but there is a strong, traditional feminist movement for women to wear the Tallis as well.
2. Tefellin
My grandfather, like all religious Jewish men, put on tefellin (boxes with prayers inside them attached by leather straps – on the arm and on the head) each morning. Here, they appear to be available for use in the street.
3. Yarmulkes/kippas
You’ll be familiar with these coverings for the head – but we were somewhat taken aback by the choice!
4. Studying
Study is at the heart of religious practice – for men. (Women are the breadwinners while religious men study many, many hours a day.)
I find all this religious “stuff” somewhat horrifying (whatever the religion) but I love the Kippa Man stall
He was also very nice. I showed him him entry in the Lonely Planet and he was chuffed to bits.
I’m with you on the religious stuff – Jerusalem of course combines all three big ones so lots of room for extreme stuff
Fascinating
He’s pretending to study. See those headphones? He’s listening to the horse racing/Archers/Grunge Metal
Of course – it is obvious now you point it out.
I thought you might show a wig shop for orthodox women. I’ve always found that an interesting practice – though there remain the equality issues… you’re having a really superinteresting time, it seems.
I wish we had found a wig shop. Now we will have to look!