Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1880-12-11
Married Jewesses Cutting Their Hair.

very strictly observed in those places
where the Hebrew community is pres
ent in large numbers, and where every
endeavor is made to maintain the re-
ligious customs and Observances of the
people pure and undefiled. This prac-
tice is universally followed in Poland,
Southern Spain and Northern Africa
The act of removal of the hair is re-
garded rs an important ceremony, and
takes place on the evening Of the day
previous to the wedding, at the brides
house, and in the presence of the rep
resentative relatives of both families.
The reason invariably assigned for the
shaving of the head-for in all orthodox
cases it amounts to this-has always
been the same, viz, that the brides
attractions may henceforth be lessened
in the sight of men, and the danger of
her being lured away from the strictest
fidelity to her husband reduced to a
minimum. At present, however, this
observance is more or less limited to
Europe and Northern Africa, for
throughout the East the shaving of the
head in woman indicates that she is a
widow, and is regarded as a reproach.
In India, indeed. the removal of a
woman's hair il viewed with such hor-
ror that if a married woman were to
shave her head, the husband, by the
Hindu law. would have full authority
to put her away. Consequently, the
Hebrews in Armenia, Syria and
throughout the East have yielded
to popular prejudice, and it is
rare indeed to meet with young
married Jewesses wearing wigs
in those countries. Still, the custom is
not altogether forgotten or ignored, for
at weddings it is usual for the bride to
wear small wig over the natural hair.
Doubtless, however, the march of civil
ization has not been without its effect
on the richly born and daintilv bred
daughters of Israel, not only in London,
but in the other great capitals of Eu-
rope. And as many husband has been
willing to run all risks to retain as a Joy
forever the golden locks or sable tresses
for which he sighed liz his lover days,
SO many young wife has been too de-
lighted that she has been spared the
unwelcome attentions of some ruthless
Figaro. When at
Krakau, Poland, some years ago, where
one-fourth of the population is Jews
(and "the rest fleas''), we noticed a
pretty young girl with most elaborate
wig. 1t was subsequently explained to
us by our Jewish guide, who. like all
his countrymen there, wore the tradi-
tional gaberdine and side curls, that, as
it was indecorous ("das schickt sich
nicht') for married woman to show
her own hair. she invariably shaved the
head, as in such climate a mass of
natural hair was unbearable if one has
to wear a wig on the top of it. l asked
if it was after the law or traditional.
He said, "Talmudic; and, anyhow, it
is always done" The old women dis
pensed with the wig and merely tied a
gaudy handkerchief tightly round the
In travelling in coun-
tries where there are many Talmudic
Jews, such as Russia, Austria and
Roumania, and visiting such towns
as Warsaw, Cracow, Brody and Jassy, l
have observed that the Jewesses cover
their hair. This was explained to me
as required by their Talmudic tradi-
tons. This is justified by reference to
the treatise Ketuboth. CHAPTER Z. Sec
ton 6, where one violation of Jewish
customs, sufficient to cause divorce
and the loss to the wife of the ketu-
bah. or dowry the husband has con-
tracted to give. is IF she 90 forth her
head bare" exactly according to the
Hebrew. De Sofa. modern Rabbi, in
his translation of portion of the Mish-
M, translates it, page 259, ''If she goes
out with her hair loose barehead-
ed."l He does not understand tie re-
moval of the hair, but that it should be
covered.
There lately appeared the following pas
sage in magazine article on ''SOuth
European Folklore" from the learned
pen of Mr.. w. X. S. Ralston: At Intro
dacqua the women disfigure themselves