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From
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/c237ex9" eudora="autourl">
http://tinyurl.com/c237ex9</a><br><br>
<font size=3>One will readily notice that wearing a hat and jacket during
prayer is standard dress in many orthodox circles. It is generally
assumed that the reason for this is to comply with the requirement to be
dressed “appropriately” when standing before God in prayer.[1] In fact,
it is especially meritorious to have a garment reserved exclusively to be
worn during prayer and a hat can often conveniently fill that role.[2]
<br><br>
In earlier times, wearing a hat and jacket was standard dignified dress
for both Jews and Gentiles. In some locales it was considered virtually
inappropriate to appear in public without them. As such, the halachic
authorities who lived in such places ruled that one must wear a hat and
jacket when praying in order to conform to the requirement to wear
standard dignified clothing when praying. It was reasoned that if one is
particular to wear a hat and jacket when appearing before important
people, then one should wear such clothes when appearing before God, as
well.[3] Further support for wearing a hat was taken from the example of
the Kohen Gadol who was required to wear a hat when officiating in the
Beit Hamikdash.<br><br>
More recent halachic authorities, however, recognize that wearing a hat
and jacket is not necessarily the normative style of dress today. In our
day, most people are not particular to be dressed with a hat and jacket
when leaving their home, nor is such attire required when meeting
important people. In fact, in some countries, appearing before figures of
authority while wearing a hat is actually frowned upon.[6] As such,
any former requirement to be dressed in a hat and jacket when praying has
simply fallen dormant in most orthodox circles. [What has happened
to mesorah and tradition? YL] <br><br>
Some authorities argue that although wearing a hat is no longer the
common manner of dressing today, one should still consider doing so for
purposes of added modesty.[7] Wearing a hat is also considered by many as
complying with the recommendation that one’s head should be completely
covered during prayer[8] especially when reciting the Birkat Hamazon,[9]
though a large kippa would satisfy this view, as well. It is also
interesting to note, however, that today’s definition of formal or
dignified attire certainly calls for the wearing of a tie and yet there
is no demand from contemporary halachic authorities to do so for prayer.
As such, it can be derived from here that the criterion of how one must
dress for prayer is not necessarily related to conventional or even
ceremonial protocol.<br><br>
See the above URL for more. YL</font></body>
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