- Kittel
A "kittel", also spelled "kitl", ( _yi. קיטל, robe, coat, cf. German "Kittel" ‘(house/work) coat’) is a white robe which served as a burial shroud for
Jews . It is also worn on special occasions by AshkenaziJew s. In western Europe this garment is called a "Sargenes". The word "Sargenes" is related to the Old FrenchSerge as well as Latin "Serica". The term has mainly fallen out of use in modern times.The "kittel", or "sargenes", is used as a burial shroud, providing simple dress that assures equality for all in death. It is also worn on the High Holidays of
Rosh Hashanah andYom Kippur .The wearing of a "kittel" on the High Holidays is symbolically linked to its use as a burial shroud, and, to the verse "our sins shall be made as white as snow" (Isaiah 1:18)
According to many traditions a
bridegroom wears a "kittel" on hiswedding day. Many Jews also wear a "kittel" when leading thePassover Seder . In some communities, the cantor wears it during certain special services during the year, such as the first night ofSelichot , the seventh day of the Holiday ofSukkot (also known asHoshanah Rabbah ), theMusaf prayers of Shemini Atzeret and the first day ofPassover , where the prayers forrain (Tefilat HaGeshem) anddew (Tefilat HaTal) are respectively recited.The white color is said to symbolize purity, which partly explains its use during weddings. It is also felt to signify unity with the
bride (who also wears white) and the beginning of a new life together.See also
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Judaism
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