Head Coverings

Proverbs 31:22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple Corinthians 11:3-16 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is the Messiah; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of the Messiah is יהוה‎ YHWH . Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of יהוה‎ YHWH : but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in יהוה‎ YHWH . For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of יהוה‎ YHWH . Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto יהוה‎ YHWH uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the assemblies of יהוה‎ YHWH . This is to provide a Scriptural rationale for understanding the role of head coverings for Israelite women. Lesson Plans for Headcoverings While there are persons who may believe that verse 16 nullifies the entire previous portion of this complex issue in the text, it is truly beyond me to accept that Paul would go as far as this far as to even necessitate discussing this issue if it weren’t important. There has to be a reason why this subject was even placed in the Book. Just like the issue of clean and unclean meats… and the dream that was given to him, persons wish to ‘read into’ the text their own traditions and own understandings of what is being said and not reason the ‘culture’ of that time in which they lived and the time in which the text was written. Let's first take a look at the word contentious and its meaning. Main Entry: con·ten·tious adjective 1 : likely to cause contention {a contentious argument} (1 a : lack of agreement or harmony (as between persons, things, or ideas) b : active quarreling or conflict resulting from discord among persons or factions : STRIFE) 2 : exhibiting an often perverse and wearisome tendency to quarrels and disputes {a man of a most contentious nature} synonym see BELLIGERENT If we understand who Paul is suggesting here is…. Let’s NOT argue about this. We all understand that 'Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.’ Let’s not argue about things we already know and understand as ‘fact’. If it’s gonna cause an argument and grief, we have no commandments/demands that this be done. Just to have peace among the brethren. Why would he even say such things like things if in fact, this was not a ‘custom’ or a tradition in their society? Let’s take a look as to where these ‘customs’ signify how a woman is to behave or conduct herself, and is identified as a ‘regular woman from a harlot’ in scripture. And then tell me if you as a woman…traditional or not would get married without her ‘veil’ upon her head even in THIS day and age? Section 1: A Bride Bereshiyt/Genesis 24:61-67 · Rebekah covered (kasah) herself with a veil (tsa’iyph) upon approaching her betrothed husband. · It was typically removed after the marriage had been consummated (cp.Leah/Rachel in 29:21-30). · A tsa’iyph was a specific veil worn by a betrothed woman (bride) to indicate her willingness to consummate the impending marriage. It symbolized modesty and submissiveness to her master (Elohim/YHWH). 2: A Harlot Bereshiyt/Genesis 38:12-19 · Tamar covered (kasah) her face with a tsa’iyph, possibly in parody of the marriage custom. · The LXX (Septuagint) adds, “and he did not recognize her” to clarify the meaning of the verse. · It was not the tsa’iyph that Tamar wore that made Yehudah think she was a harlot, but rather the context, i.e. her location at the crossroads and her behavior. Section 3: Married Women Bemidbar/Numbers 5:11-22 · A priest uncovered (para) a wife’s head (rosh) when she vowed before him on the possible issue of adultery. · Normally, a husband can nullify her vows (Bemidbar 30:10-13), but here she was uncovered and apart from his authority and protection. · The same references to para (uncover) and rosh (head) appear in Vayyiqra/Leviticus 13:45, 10:16, and 21:10 pertaining to the uncovering of a leper’s head and to the kohen’s head. · Clearly, this commandment in the Torah cannot be kept unless it is already assumed and understood that Israelite women wear head coverings as a general rule. A head covering for women (as it is for men) is an assumed article of clothing upon which the Torah is based. · This is the central commandment in the Torah regarding the requirement for wives to wear a head covering. Section 4: A Widow Ruth 3:15 · Ruth wore a veil (mitpachat). · The only other place where mitpachat appears is in Yesha’yahu/Isaiah 3:22, where it is translated “wimple” (a medieval head covering for women that also covered the sides of the head, neck, and chin). Section 5: Further Scriptural Evidence Yesha’yahu/Isaiah 47:1-5 · A form of shame for the so-called “virgin” daughter of Babylon is nakedness. Uncovering (galah = remove) her “locks” is included in this humiliation. CJB has “take off your veil.” (CJB= Complete Jewish Bible) Shir haShirim/Song of Songs 4:1-3, 6:7 · These verses contain the same word as found in Yesha’yahu 47 and translated “locks” in the KJV, i.e. tsammah which comes from an unused Hebrew root word meaning “to fasten on.” Section 6: Normal Practice during Yahushua’s Day “…Men sometimes cover their heads and sometimes not; but women's hair is always covered, and children are always bareheaded…” Alfred Edersheim, Sketches of Jewish Social Life, Chapter 9, “Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel” “…Ordinarily, it was most strictly enjoined upon women to have their head and hair carefully covered. This may throw some light upon the difficult passage, 1Corinthians 11:1-10. We must bear in mind that the apostle there argues with Believers, and that on their own ground, convincing them by a reference to their own views, customs, and legends of the propriety of the practice which he enjoins. From that point of view the propriety of a woman having her head “covered” could not be called in question. The opposite would have indicated immodesty. Indeed, it was the custom in the case of a woman accused of adultery to have her hair “shorn or shaven,” at the same time using this formula: “Because thou hast departed from the manner of the daughters of Israel, who go with their head covered; . . . therefore that has befallen thee which thou hast chosen...” Conclusion Admittedly, some of our women may find this a ‘major’ issue, even as some of our men discovered when we examined the topic of head coverings for men. Nevertheless, if we say that we are the seed of Avraham and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:29), then we need to live like Israelites and not like the world around us. It is your individual responsibility to study this material in order to show yourself approved to Elohim (2 Timothy 2:15). If you choose not to study, or if you choose not to make time to study, then you need to find out the reasons why. In the process of discovery, assess whether or not you tend to delay or ignore issues that concern your physical appearance. You may find out that you are overly concerned with such things. Therefore, the most natural place to start in keeping these commandments is in the privacy of our own home, especially when we pray to YHWH or study his word. I would suggest the same thing for our men. There is little reason to refrain from wearing head coverings during services when we gather as a community of like-minded Messianic talmidim to pray, study, sing, and worship together. This should be a very natural development. · Zechariah / Zecharyah 8:23 · Romans 2:13 · Yochanan Aleph/1 John 2:3-5, 5:2-3 ***************************************************************************************************** 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22 Despise not prophesying's. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. Keep it movin' people.... KM Websites that I suggest for purchasing Headcoverings and /or materials... EBAY sites: ZipporahReshel.com (At the time of this reprint, she has closed her eBay site down, so this is the link to her main clothing site. Hijab Clothing (midEastern Mall) Private Websites: Cover Your Hair.com Hebrew Israelites MarketPlace Bilal Designs Modesty World They have these things call snoods, that help the scarf from slipping. Scriptural Headship / YRM.ORG