Ignoring Kabbalistic considerations for the moment, we know that the laws about proper clothing for davening are relative. In simple terms, one is meant to wear clothes which are “appropriate” when having a meeting with an important personage. Clearly, the style of clothing changes from place to place, and indeed from climate to climate. It has also changed over time. The idea that שלא שינו את לבושם that Jews didn’t change their clothing from the time they were exiled in Egypt cannot be taken literally.
One can look at a Chassid who wears medieval clothes, especially on Shabbos and Yom Tov with a positive twist: namely, that they are
- yearning for the days of yore,
- exhibiting a fidelity to their tradition,
- expressing disdain for a modern world they consider tainted
- aligning themselves to their mentors (התקשרות) in all aspects including dress
- teaching their children that one can live in this world and be part of a chain of tradition
I don’t wear a Shtreimel or Spodik or white stockings. At the same time, if somebody chooses to do so, it doesn’t bother me.
I don’t know why I thought about this over שבת, but it occurred to me as I was davening שחרית that perhaps it presents a halachic conundrum. How so? Imagine Chasid X, who wears a particular uniform on שבת. Let’s say that Chasid X does some exemplary work for the community, for example, they might be an icon of charity or community service or Hatzalah, or whatever. Chasid X is then invited to receive an award from the Queen’s representative, the Governor General, or the Prime Minister, or the Premier. After consulting with his Rav, the Chasid is advised that it would be קידוש השם ברבים to accept the award as it would highlight the achievements of the community at large. The Chasid comes to receive his award, makes a nice humble speech, and all is good. My question is, how does he dress to receive the award? My lay understanding of Halacha (and I’m by no means a Posek) is that the Chasid should consider appearing in his Shtreimel, Bekeche, white stockings etc. But would he? I doubt it. This begs the question: If the best שבת and יום טוב finery is deemed inappropriate to wear in front of an important non-Jew on an important occasion, why would one be allowed to wear it for Davening in general? (Does any one know how Maharam Shapira dressed in the Polish parliament?)
To put it simply, in some countries you wouldn’t appear in sandals without socks in front of an important person. In Israel and other countries, it’s commonplace. However, if nobody did this, it is questionable whether one is permitted to daven in this way. Why would a Spodik etc be any different?
I’ve seen a similar example. Some adhere to the Kabbalistic notion that one should always have two head coverings. Yet, if they find themselves in a situation where they have to daven, and they don’t have the second head covering, I’ve seen them put on the hood from a hoodie! Is a hoodie considered acceptable clothing in front of a dignitary? What about an ordinary peaked cap? Is that acceptable? Would anyone wear that in front of a dignitary?
I wear a hat on Shabbos. I do so, because
- I like it
- I think it looks good with a suit
- My father and grandfather wear and wore it
- It’s part of my shabbos and yom tov clothing
In point of fact, my grandfather hated me walking in the street in a simple yarmulka, but I think that had more to do with trauma from the war. I have been in a meeting with the Premier, and I wore a suit, but I didn’t wear my hat. Perhaps I am not different to the Chasid who wouldn’t wear his Spodik in such a situation. Is the simple answer that I reserve my best clothing for Shabbos, but that I wear acceptable clothing otherwise? Perhaps.
There are two things at play here:
- acceptable garb
- quasi-uniform
Does a quasi-uniform over-ride the requirement to wear acceptable garb?
I’m reminded of R’ Schachter’s observation that someone who normally wears a Gartel but doesn’t have one, and resorts to using their tie as their Gartel, is perhaps completely missing the point. Am I missing the point?
The Rav ז’ל wouldn’t perform חופה וקידושין if the חתן wasn’t wearing a hat. He argued that the חתן had a דין of מלך and a מלך wears a crown at important occasions, and the proverbial Jewish crown of the King (today) is the hat. He didn’t even accept a straw hat as a substitute.
pitputim 
הספודיק ופסי הטלית
http://www.bhol.co.il/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=1735118&forum_id=1364
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The quote of the Belzer Rebbe-in Dovid’s link-is enough for me. What do I care what other “know alls’ ” opinion is, especially when many Gedoileh Yisroel agreed with the BR ZY”O, even from the not Chassidic community. Even in Lubavitch, where in the last 60 years no one went with a streimel or spodik-except those who joined wearing it- The Rebbe wrote in a Maamer, very positively about the streimel.
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I must be on a different wave length. I don’t understand what part that the Belzer Rov ז’ל said that has anything to do with Halacha. Telling me that Gedolay Yisrael wore it is as good as me telling you Moshe Rabenu didn’t. Can we deal with the issue I raised rather than resorting to the obvious assertion that people wear Shtreimels so therefore they must be good.
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“Rabbi Schachter’s observation…..and resorts to using his tie for a gartel is completely missing the point.”
Very interesting! Do you know what his reason is? I am assuming the guy wears it around his middle, not around the kneck as it is usually worn.
Maybe you’ve heard the following joke(it’s only a joke, please don’t take it seriously:-)
The Chossid is holy from the belly up, so he wears the gartel on his stomach to distinguish between holiness and the erva below the belt.
The litvak is holy from the neck up, so he wears a necktie to distinguish.
And the Arab wears his on his head(e.g. saudi’s) to distinguish…
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R’ Schachter’s reasoning is surely obvious! What fool would wear a tie as a gartel and think that’s how you stand in front of Hashem. I can’t understand the question. Again, I must be on a different wave length!
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Sorry, you misunderstood the joke. It goes like this: “A chossid wears a gartel to separate his heart from his erva; a misnaged wears a tie for exactly the same reason.”
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Rav Shechter says further, that a tie today has the din of a gartel back than, ie a essential component of dignified dress
zichruni, that he said this in response to a request to define modern orthodoxy, and he was answering that it is the acceptance that certain things evolve…
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Yes, must be different wavelength 🙂
I take into consideration that it is only bedieved when one doesn’t have a regular gartel. When Halacha talks about gartel, there is no description, just something to divide between the eruv and the upper body.
Also, wouldn’t a tie be something choshuv? It certainly more expensive than a gartel..
And I was just asking..
Re the shteimel, sorry I wasn’t responding to your comments, rather to some derogatory comments on that link.
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Depends on the gartel. Some are worth a packet. Either way, the point was that in trying to be mekayem Hikon Likras Hashem Elokecha with a tie you end up looking like a clown!
Disclaimer: I wear a gartel
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Did I say eruv?? Oops! erva’s the word.
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Whay about crocs Isaac? Heard you have a penchant for them.
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You forgot the smiley. All I know is that some were MATTIR them for Tisha B’Av. By extension, it would seem you should not wear them on Shabbos unless you have a medical condition. But speak to your Rav. My opinions are not L’Halacha and not L’Maaseh
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Rav Elyashiv said that since Crocs are worn all year round, you are not permitted to wear them on Tisha B’Av. Rav Moshe Shternbuch said that while technically you may wear them on Tisha B’Av, it is better not to. Similarly Rav Nissim Karelitz and Rav Meir Brandsdorfer hold that it is not assur but Yirei Shamayim should not wear them.
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James, I believe their reasons were in the opposite direction though: they are too comfortable.
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