Spodik

A spodik (or spodek[1]) is a tall,[2] black fur hat worn by some Hasidic Jews, particularly by members of sects in 19th-century Congress Poland.[3] The origins of spodik and the shtreimel are unclear but it is often thought that the Jews living in Europe adopted wearing fur hats from the Eastern European culture[2] and perhaps from the nobility.[4]

Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer wearing a spodik

Description

Spodiks are to be distinguished from kolpiks, and from shtreimels, which are a similar types of fur hat worn by Hasidim.[5] Shtreimels are shorter in height, wider, and donut-shaped, while spodiks are taller, thinner in bulk, and of cylindrical shape.[5] Kolpics and spodiks have the same shape, but the former are brown, while the latter are black.[5] Such hats are typically worn only on special occasions, such as the Sabbath, holidays, and weddings.[6]

Spodiks used to be made from fisher tails. Nowadays they are made also from fox fur.

Use

Ger Hasidim, being the largest Hasidic community of Polish origin, are the most famous for wearing spodiks. Virtually all married men among the Gerer Hasidim wear a spodik. Due to an edict by the Grand Rabbi of Ger designed to stop the extravagance of the hats, Gerrer Hasidim are only allowed to purchase fake fur spodiks that cost less than $600.[7]

Other groups that wear Spodiks include Alexander, Amshinov, Ashlag, Kotzk, Modzitz, Ozharov, Radzin and Sochatchov.

See also

References
  1. Note: spodek means "saucer" in Polish
  2. "Of 'spodiks' and 'shtreimels'". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  3. Levi Cooper: Shtreimel Variations: The History of a Hat. Segula Magazine.
  4. "Shtreimels and Spodiks – NJOP". njop.org. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  5. Shurpin, Yehuda. "Why Do Many Chassidim Wear Shtreimels (Fur Hats)?". Chabad.org. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
  6. "Shtreimel Variations". Segula The Jewish History Magazine. Retrieved 2019-12-15.
  7. Slifkin, Natan (2006). Man and Beast: Our Relationship with Animals in Jewish Law and Thought. p. 199. ISBN 1-933143-06-1.
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