Head covering for Jewish women

A married Jewish woman wears a Sheitel with a Snood (headgear) on top of it. Sheitel ( , sheytl m.sg., שייטלעך , sheytlekh m.pl. or שייטלען , sheytlen m.pl.; ) is the Yiddish word for a wig or half-wig worn by Orthodox Jewish married women in order to conform with the requirement of Jewish Law to cover their hair. This practice is part of the modesty-related dress standard called tzeniut . The word seems to be derived from the German word Scheitel , meaning "part" (as in hair). The Shulchan Aruch cites the opinion of Rabbi Joshua Boaz ben Simon Baruch , (d. 1557 ), who permitted the wearing of wigs. In some hasidic sects, sheitels are avoided as they can give the impression that the wearer's head is uncovered. In other groups women wear some type of covering over the sheitel to avoid this misconception. In stark contrast, the Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged all married Jewish women to wear only sheitels. In 2005 there was a degree of controversy over natural hair sheitels procured from India. It was discovered that the hair used for the production of these wigs was taken from an Indian house of worship. According to the halacha one cannot derive benefit from anything used in idolatry . Today most wigs used by Jewish women come with kosher certification , indicating that they are not made with hair originating from idolatrous rituals. Roughly half of Orthodox married women (especially Sefardim ) in Israel do not wear wigs because their rabbis believe that wigs are insufficiently modest , and that other head coverings, such as a cap, scarf, or snood , are more suitable. Letters on the importance of wearing a sheitel from the Lubavitcher Rebbe

Judge Rachel Freier , a married Hasidic woman, wearing a sheitel Sheitel ( , sheytl m.sg.; שייטלעך , sheytlekh m.pl. or שייטלען , sheytlen m.pl.; ) is a wig or half-wig worn by some Orthodox Jewish married women in order to conform with the requirement of Jewish law to cover their hair . Some Hasidic groups encourage sheitels, while others avoid them.

Wig or half-wig worn by some married Orthodox Jewish women Three styles of hair covering common among married Orthodox Jewish women. From left to right: snood , fall, and hat. According to halacha (Jewish law), married Jewish women are expected to cover their hair when in the presence of men other than their husband or close family members. Such covering is common practice nowadays among Orthodox Jewish women. Different kinds of head coverings are used, among them the mitpaḥat or tichel (headscarf), shpitzel , snood , hat, beret, and sheitel (wig). The most common head coverings in the Haredi community are headscarves in the form of the tichel and snood, though some wear hats, berets or sheitels; the tichel and snood remain the historic and universally accepted rabbinical standard for observant Jewish women. The headscarves can be tied in a number of ways, depending on how casually the wearer is dressed. Covering the hair is part of the modesty-related dress standard called tzniut . In the late eighteenth century, women began covering their heads with a wig (a sheitel). Ironically, many rabbis opposed this innovation because they saw it as being indecent.

Wig or half-wig worn by some married Orthodox Jewish women Three styles of hair covering common among married Orthodox Jewish women. From left to right: snood , fall, and hat According to halacha (Jewish religious law), married Jewish women are expected to cover their hair when in the presence of men other than their husband or close family members. Such covering is common practice among Orthodox Jewish women. Different kinds of hair coverings are used, among them the mitpachat ( Hebrew : מטפחת ) or tichel ( Yiddish : טיכל ) (headscarf), shpitzel , snood , hat, beret, fall, bonnet, veil, headscarf, bandana, and sheitel ( Yiddish : שייטל , wig). The most common head coverings in the Haredi community are headscarves in the form of the tichel and snood, though some wear hats, berets , or sheitels; the tichel and snood remain the historic and universally accepted rabbinical standard for observant Jewish women. The headscarves can be tied in a number of ways, depending on how casually the wearer is dressed. Covering the hair is part of the modesty-related dress standard called tzniut . The hair is considered a body part that should only be seen by one's husband. In the late eighteenth century, women began covering their heads with a wig (a sheitel). Ironically, many rabbis opposed this innovation because they saw it as being indecent.