I used to think that Lubavitchers wore black hats.
A year spent in Tzfas and witnessing one of the world's most lively and cohesive bunches of Lubavitchers changed my mind. It's become pretty clear to me that Lubavitchers definitely do not wear black hats.
Because a Lubavitcher doesn't wear a black hat, he doesn't have to get it cleaned by a professional. Nor does he have to put it in a special place when he comes home everyday. When a Lubavitcher travels, he doesn't have to bring his hat box. For what hat?
Myth: Lubavitchers Wear Black Hats
I used to think that Lubavitchers wore black hats.
A year spent in Tzfas and witnessing one of the world’s most lively and cohesive bunches of Lubavitchers changed my mind. It’s become pretty clear to me that Lubavitchers definitely do not wear black hats.
Because a Lubavitcher doesn’t wear a black hat, he doesn’t have to get it cleaned by a professional. Nor does he have to put it in a special place when he comes home everyday. When a Lubavitcher travels, he doesn’t have to bring his hat box. For what hat?
Because a Lubavitcher doesn’t wear a black hat, he doesn’t have to buy a hat cover for when it rains. You won’t see a Lubavitcher with a plastic bag over his hat. Why? Because he’s not wearing one! Pouring rain can’t change that.
Because a Lubavitcher doesn’t wear a black hat, he never asks “Oh, is this going to be a hat function?”
Because a Lubavitcher doesn’t wear a black hat, a Shadchan will rarely be caught asking “Does he wear a black hat?” and if the Shadchan does let it slip, she’ll probably get a response like “What do you mean?”
Because a Lubavitcher doesn’t wear a black hat, it’s not on any dating girl’s list of ‘things to look for“ in a boy.
Because a Lubavitcher doesn’t wear a black hat, a teacher from the Yeshiva will not see his student out of class and interrogate him as to why he’s not wearing one.
Because a Lubavitcher doesn’t wear a black hat, he doesn’t have to take it off if he is enjoying a cigarette, talking to girls, or dancing to non-Jewish music. He doesn’t have two personalities – the ”hat me“ and the ”non-hat me“.
I have noticed a few exceptions, some occasions when Lubavitchers actually do wear a black hat.
When a Lubavitcher finds himself davening Mincha with a diverse group of people, he sees someone not wearing a head covering. All of a sudden, he thinks ”Hey, I’m wearing a hat!” and takes it off, placing it on his hatless fellow Jew.
A Lubavitcher also wears a black hat when he is taking pictures in the President’s Oval Office. The President will say something like “You know you can take your hat off, right?” and the Lubavitcher will respond, “What? My hat? Oh, that’s okay. Thank you, Mr. President, but I think I’ll keep it on.”
A Lubavitcher realizes he is wearing a hat when he is on the street helping people put on Tefillin and a boy asks him “Why do you Jews always wear black hats? Do you all think you’re Rabbis or something?” The Lubavitcher touches his hat, goes “oh, this thing?” and explains to his new friend that the hat has nothing to do with any sort of
religious level, and one should never make that mistake. He then places the hat on the boy and helps him with the Tefillin.
A Lubavitcher can refer to other people as “black hatters” without confusing people. When the term “black hatter” is used, everyone knows they’re not talking about a Lubavitcher.
Why? Because there are people who wear black hats and there are people who wear black hats.
And Lubavitchers?
Well, they just don’t wear black hats.
This article was written by Mimi Notik, read more at her Blog.
Confused
will someone please divulge the deeper meaning of this? I am really curious. is it sarcasm? reinforcement? criticism? praise?
perplexed
OK?!? it was nicely written, but I’m not sure I got the point.
…“Well, they just don’t wear black hats.”
Well, they just do!
thanks
thank you mimi
Use My Imagination ;)
Great Article!
Very Impressed
Happy
This was an amazing article! What she said was, is, and will always be true. Just as you wouldn’t leave the house without a shirt and pants, a Lubavitcher wouldn’t leave his house without his black hat. It’s like part of his livush. I think that it’s very cute how she worded this article. In the beginning, when I read it, my first reaction was, “what is she saying?”, but after reading the whole article I can say that every single word was amazing and well put.
DAN
Because a Lubavitcher doesn’t wear a black hat, he doesn’t have to take it off if he is enjoying a cigarette, talking to girls, or dancing to non-Jewish music. He doesn’t have two personalities – the ”hat me“ and the ”non-hat me“.
MMMM DIDNT KNOW LUBAVITCHERS DO THIS
aliza
Mimi, you get your readers to think! good for you.
and your message is beautiful.
unlike many who write about religious things – who use big words and want people come away impressed by the writer – your style is similar to how a Lubavitcher doesn’t wear his hat.
Madonna of the Rocks
Intersting that a cigarrette is in the same category of crimes against humanity as talking to girls and dancing to non jewish music
Imaginatino
She is saying that the black hat and the lubavitcher are not two different entities, they are one.
whatever
….ummm and the point is?
hat man
a hat should be ON your head, not IN your head
Kop Doctor
A black hat signifies a black mind, which is a good thing. But I ask, Is a black baseball cap considered a black hat too?
To Madonna:
Please work out whatever issues you have with Yiddishkeit with a reliable mashpia. Don’t display your crassness, ignorance and closed mindedness for all to see, that is surely a crime against your own humanity.
Montreal
This article is the most ridiculous thing I have ever read. Unfortuantely alot of Lubavitchers DO NOT walk around with their hats – with any kind of hat!!. How sad is that? Some how I do not think this would make the Rebbe proud one bit!!
Just by the way – WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THIS ARTICLE?? Even my imagination doesn’t help me on this one!!
nebech
maybe the message is that we should all be wearing hats!
talmid of oheli torah 73----76
YES KOP DOCTOR – A BLK baseball hat. is a blk hat ,i wear one… seven generations
f-f-b . and a blk ski hat is
also a black hat !!!!!
news and articles, not stam bloggers
in the parshas hashavua category?!?
it was written on a blog because that is where it is meant to be found!
maybe apple770 is more appropriate for this content.
my child showed this to me… im still not sure how to respond or explain.
talmid of oheli torah 73----76
TO THE REMARK MONTREAL WROTE :
The Rebba loves all typs of lubavitchers
with a hat – with out hat – a chosid
is one who acts and learns to his and hers best as thay can be with emess
not outward fakeness;
moshiac now !!!
C from CH
To all who have questions on this article…
It’s a creative writing piece. That means that the author might say things in a different way than you are used to hearing them.
The point of the article is that being Lubavitch (which for example includes wearing a black hat) is NOT just a superficial part of our lives. It’s not something that we do, that we wear. It’s WHO WE ARE. Intrinsically. Other Jews also wear black hats, but it’s just a minhag. They wear black hats because that’s the dress code for the group they belong to. OUR black hats are not just our dress code.
People, this article goes so far beyond black hats. The author used the example of a black hat to get a very beautiful message across. The message that we are different. We have a special purpose and mission from the Rebbe. To change the world. The message that it’s not a show… it’s for real. And because it’s for real, people feel it. And they come close.
Thanks, Mimi, for sharing your thoughts and words.
/ Dov /
I think you’re saying that the black hat on a Lubavitcher is not a mark of elevated status or stature, nor a fine distinguished display, it just happens to be a part of him and who he is, through thick or thin, rain or snow, this event or that, this purpose or that. But then, what is it really? Clearly it’s a mark of social distinction, otherwise some would be wearing purple hats. Clearly that distinction makes you keenly aware of what you’re a part of, and so some would assume he who is not a “black hatter” is not a part, not fit for our daughter, probably partaking in things we don’t represent. Who donned it first and why? More importantly, why did those that followed and what were their motivations? I’d love to see a real exploration, solid facts, while you present the underlying point you’re so good at forming.
JW
tHE MESSAGE IS CLEAR
WE ARE MIXED UP
The point
The point is that the hat is so much part of the Lubavitcher, that he is not aware of it while wearing it.
Some Lubavitchers who are not wearing hats at all have issues with their Yiddishkeit that they have to work out.
Beautiful article!
YS
Mimi, ON THE MARK! It’s GREAT!! Yehi rotzon that all lubavitchers should feel this way!
rootin for you!
mimi-dont listen to the people who will NEVER have something nice to say. your train of thought is easily followed if YOU READ THE WHOLE article! anyone with a little bit of sense shoudl understand the message she is conveying-as “happy” so beautifully explained. you make all the women look good with your insights! keep up the great work!!
to Montreal:
“Unfortuantely alot of Lubavitchers DO NOT walk around with their hats – with any kind of hat!!.”
Maybe she’s suggesting that those who don’t wear them are not whole heartly Lubavitch?
Toshav hashchuna
To Nebech: You wrote “we should all be wearing hats”, how many hats? I always thought one is enough.
chayim aruchim
Really witty and cute!
He only realizes it when… great line.
Lets have some more of this kind of cognisant view.
Shel Rosh
To hat man: You wrote “a hat should be ON your head not IN your head”.
Wouldn’t you agree that hats should also be on our minds? Conversely, our minds should be ON wearing our hats. Reminds me of the expression: His head is in his galoshes.
Yosef Yitzhak K.
lovE the article!
Hello Saadya – From the Chulon Dudues!
Cat in the Hat
Imaginatino wrote: “the black hat and the lubavitcher are not two different entities, they are one”.
Have you reduced Lubavich to an item of apparel? And if indeed Lubavitch is nothing more than a hat – is it a Texas Stetson or an Italian Borsollino?
Is that what we’ve become??
I am woman
Nebech wrote: “maybe the message is that we should all be wearing hats!” – on our sheitels?? (Or are we not part of “we”).
brooklyn
very inaccurate and pointless! two thumbs down
benny
this is a “great” way to get the point across???
cigarettes, talking to girls, dancing to non jewish music…
are these the things the author does with bochrim….?
please keep her articles on HER blog!!!
The Fall of an Empire - Mendel
I am a Lubavitcher bochur and I do not wear a black hat nor any other hat. What is the author talking about??
If this is intended as an awareness campaign to get guys to wear hats, then why not be blunt about it? why all the cryptic?
My suggestion: If it is indeed important, then write an article explaining the importance of wearing a hat.
I think it is far more important and critical to discuss the Lubabitch girls’ attire and attitudes before discussing the boys. I believe that the obsessive mimicking of and indulgence in holywood celebrities is where it all begins.
Remember: a boy will always try to please the girls, and if it requires lowering his standards, then it is likely that he will do so…
Mendy C
Very well written, for those of you who dont get it. your just to simple, or rather its not a simple poem/article it has deeper meaning. kudos
......
thank you for reminding our Bochrim that they have to wear a black hat. yes a BLACK HAT with everything else that goes with the essence of being a LUBAVITCHER CHOSID. A jacket, a full beard, not listening to goishe music etc. etc. Anyone who is critisizing your article is a far cry from what a chosid should be but what is so sad is that in his self appraisel, he is a perfect chosid and you are , you dont know what you are saying, but wow did you get your point across real well.
Yossi
I don’t get it, if your point is that we always wear black hats unconsciously, (just like a shirt and pants) which shows on our maales, why are you bringing this to our attention and ruining it by making us conscious of it?
where is the hat?
Guys, please try to read between the lines, it made me smile, well written!
oy!!!
oy why does e/o waste their time to anaylze every niddy griddy detail of this. it look like your all bored souls!
LubavD
You know a good article when it stirs up emotions and causes defensive reactions! Good going Mimi! Keep the inspiration and energy flowing!
Shliach Ben Shliach
Is she sending a message to all those “holier than thau” shluchim who take off their hats when they meet with politicians in Washington, DC.?
flippenripple
I’m reading all the criticism and i acn CLEARLY see that whoever said a critical remark seriously missed the point! The author is bringing her point out in a very creative and imaginitive way,
thank you, it is much appreciated!!!
dina
To all those with the negative attitute about this article. I bet you’re one of those whos hat are collecting dust from shabbos to shabbos, and the women out there. Dou all your husbands wear their hats every day? Mimi reminded you all about something you feel guilty about so you laying out thick. Take it as a lesson, and stop being so bitter….
Levi
I once heard a story (correct me if I’m wrong): In the 1950’s, a young chossidshe (poilishe) boy living in CH was collecting tzedoka around town for his cheder. Unbeknown to him, he knocked on the Rebbe & Rebbetzin’s apartment on the corner of Brooklyn/President Street. The Rebbetzin answered & let the boy in. When he explained the reason for his visit, the Rebbetzin told him to ask the Rebbe for the Tzedoka. The boy approached the Rebbe, who was sitting and learning at the table, without a hat or jacket on. The Rebbe asked the boy what he had learned from his rebbe in cheder, to which the boy replied: “Torah darf men lernen in a hittel un a rekel” (“one must learn torah in a hat and a jacket”). The Rebbe replied: “zug dein melamed az es vent zich nisht der trugen der hittel un rekel, es vent zich uber ver trugt es” (“wearing the hat & jacket is insignificant; it matters however who the one wearing it is ”)…
However, interestingly enough, those which fall into the latter category are almost always the ones who anyways wear the hat and jacket. The intelligent will understand…
Raizel
Madonna of the Rocks,
It is about consistency, about keeping your values in check and being consistent throughout. The author is not saying they are crimes against humanity, but that you should not be dichotomous in your being, that ALL your actions should reflect your values. It is about adhering to truths.
Bueno
to oy!!!:
Ditto!
The Beauty of the Dimwitted Comments
Although it seems sad that people don’t get the article and we have dimwits in are midst, the truth is that it is the beauty of our community that dimwits and non-dimwits share the same forum, cuz we are one family.
if this article had been posted on a site where the visitors were united by their interest in creative writing, of course you would not get “What? I don’t get it” comments. Here, however, we are united by one thing: Chassidim ein mishpocho. And in a mishpocho, especially a non-genetic one, you have all types.
So don’t be discouraged by the dimwitted posts–they are a symbol and symptom of the beauty of what this site embodies.
Viewer
to oy!!!:
It’s not a waste of time to look into things you read, analyze them, and think about the deeper meaning they may contain. This is article was well-written, in a manner that caused people to think and react… exactly as people did right here.
It is a piece of creative writing that successfully prompted creative thinking.
Instead of telling people what to do or criticizing others, the article presents an open-ended statement that each person can process in their own way.
Think about it. Learn from it.
HATMAN
WOW – did you all go to Oholei Torah or Beis Rivkah so as not to grasp the essence of the message? Does the term satire mean anything to you?
The article is OK’ish – but its deeper message is compelling.
We are not consistent with our hat wearing. The average shliach does NOT wear a black hat wherever he goes but in Crown Heights for example, would never been seen, even dead, without one.
The average bochur would wear one when in the line of duty (yeshiva, mivtzaim etc.) but would never be seen, even dead, with one, when in other social surrounds (just think back to your Gan Yisroel days – especially after hours).
So whereas it forms the hallmark of others identity, for us, it is, isn’t – it’s who we are, it’s who we are not, and everything else in between.
SOOOOOOOOOO confused
I’m living in the twilight zone!
Question 1. What is this lady talking about? What is she trying to say?
Question 2. All you commenters…do YOU know what she’s talking about??
Can someone PLEASE translate this stuff into clear, understandable prose. I’m not a mind reader.
I bet BrookAve can explain :-)
non black hatter
amazing article you should post some more
Shia
Re: Levi’s story about learning w/o a hat. Can anybody correct him (as he requests?
I do know that when I go in to 770 and sometimes find a full zal learning – which makes me feel good to see – at least 90% are without jackets.
To Levi: Yor write“The intelligent will understand” however in this forum please write so that I can understand.
talmid of oheli torah 73----76
mimy great artical keep up the good work
you caused evryone to open there brains and think …
moshiach now !!!
Ummm...
Hats are part and parcel with the inner-being of those who truly wear and represent them.
For one who wears them externally, or don’t wear them at all, it in no way defines who or what he is.
That’s the point.
Period.
Now all of you go home.
talmid of oheli torah 73----76
in oholei torah on troy ave, If we were
not wearing a hat when we walked outside
the yeshiva, Reb penia would give us a
real talking .. now he see`s me on kingston av, with a black hat [baseball]
and does`nt even say hello..nu nu
thats life
to news and articles not stam bloggers
chaval to mistake a beautiful chinuch opportunity as a something you have to “explain” to your child. What this article is trying to show is the beauty of how chabad wear thier hats- not as afashion accessory, but as a part of them, something that helps them in their avodas Hashem. They always see in it a means to do mitzvos. Not as a form of gaava- but as a form of kedusha…
…I suggest you read the article again- it suprises me that so many people missed the message. I think the message is clear. It’s not about whether or not you wear a hat but about how you wear it!!!