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Idolatrous wigs

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Wearing the wrong wig can make you a worshiper of idols.

An ultraorthodox Jewish sage has issued a ritual ban against natural hair wigs from India, saying they may have been made from tresses shorn from women during Hindu ceremonies, Israeli newspapers reported on Friday.

Fear of Idolatry Sparks Wig Ban

Richard Evans Lee
May 17, 2004 •
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Here's the eBay solution: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4151294103 via Yadablog.com

Posted by: spin_cycle | May 17, 2004 10:47 AM

Hell, I wouldn't wear one. When the time comes, I'll wear snoods or tichels (scarves). But that's not just because of the sketchiness of the wigs involved. If you care to know why there's such a big emphasis on avoiding idolatry, it's because it's one of our weak points and considering the family history, I figure the more fences we build, the better. Although I wouldn't call this one a fence, as it does actually fit under idol worship. It qualifies as benefiting from items used to show devotion to a foreign god.

Posted by: Batshua | May 17, 2004 12:06 PM

I've always assumed - without any knowledge to back it up - that the emphasis on ritual purity is part of what preserved Jewish identity for the last couple of thousand years.

Posted by: Richard | May 17, 2004 1:56 PM

Richard, you'd be correct, ritual purity is part of it, but actually, the issue here isn't what Jewish law would call ritual purity.

Posted by: Batshua | May 17, 2004 3:47 PM

Apparently I can't keep my thoughts from scattering. I meant to add that most Jews would say that what keeps Jewish identity going (besides our cultural ties to food and such) is kashrut and keeping Shabbat. If a Jew doesn't keep those, assimilation becomes a very easy path to take.

Posted by: Batshua | May 17, 2004 4:19 PM

How do you feel?

Feel free to share your feelings about Idolatrous wigs. Please stick to the theme of the entry. Disagreement is fine. Homophobia, racism, and kindred expressions of hatred will be deleted. This site is one of my hobbies. I genuinely enjoy hearing from people and hate moderating or killing comments. Forthright disagreement is fine as long as it is civil.
My thanks,
Richard

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