What Should I Wear? Jewish Clothes, Caps, Coverings and Rebellions

(ה) תִּקּוּן הַמַּלְבּוּשִׁים כֵּיצַד. מְתַקֵּן מַלְבּוּשָׁיו תְּחִלָּה וּמְצַיֵּן עַצְמוֹ וּמְהַדֵּר שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר הִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לַה׳‎ בְּהַדְרַת קֹדֶשׁ. וְלֹא יַעֲמֹד בִּתְפִלָּה בַּאֲפוּנְדָתוֹ, וְלֹא בְּרֹאשׁ מְגֻלֶּה, וְלֹא בְּרַגְלַיִם מְגֻלּוֹת אִם דֶּרֶךְ אַנְשֵׁי הַמָּקוֹם שֶׁלֹּא יַעַמְדוּ בִּפְנֵי הַגְּדוֹלִים אֶלָּא בְּבָתֵּי הָרַגְלַיִם. וּבְכָל מָקוֹם לֹא יֶאֱחֹז תְּפִלִּין בְּיָדוֹ וְסֵפֶר תּוֹרָה בִּזְרוֹעוֹ וְיִתְפַּלֵּל מִפְּנֵי שֶׁלִּבּוֹ טָרוּד בָּהֶן. וְלֹא יֶאֱחֹז כֵּלִים וּמָעוֹת בְּיָדוֹ. אֲבָל מִתְפַּלֵּל הוּא וְלוּלָב בְּיָדוֹ בִּימוֹת הֶחָג מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהוּא מִצְוַת הַיּוֹם. הָיָה מַשּׂוֹי עַל רֹאשׁוֹ וְהִגִּיעַ זְמַן תְּפִלָּה אִם הָיָה פָּחוֹת מֵאַרְבָּעָה קַבִּין מַפְשִׁילוֹ לַאֲחוֹרָיו וּמִתְפַּלֵּל בּוֹ. הָיָה אַרְבָּעָה קַבִּין מַנִּיחוֹ עַל גַּבֵּי קַרְקַע וְאַחַר כָּךְ יִתְפַּלֵּל. דֶּרֶךְ כָּל הַחֲכָמִים וְתַלְמִידֵיהֶם שֶׁלֹּא יִתְפַּלְּלוּ אֶלָּא כְּשֶׁהֵן עֲטוּפִים:

(5) Adjustment of the dress. Before beginning the Service, the dress should first be adjusted and the personal appearance made trim and neat, as it is said, "O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness" (Psalms 96:9). One should not stand in prayer wearing a moneybelt, nor bareheaded, nor barefoot, where the local custom is not to stand in the presence of the great, without shoes. And one should not pray anywhere, holding phylacteries in the hand or carrying a scroll of the law in the arms, for the mind would then be preoccupied with those sacred objects. Nor while praying, should vessels or money be held in the hand. On the feast of Tabernacles, however, the worshiper prays, while carrying a palm branch—this being the religious duty of the day. When the time comes to recite the prayer, a person carrying a burden on his head, adjusts it behind him, if it is less than four kabs**A kab is equal in volume to 4 logs. A log is equal in volume to 6 hen’s eggs. and recites the prayer. If it is four kabs in size, he places it on the ground, and then prays. The practice of all the sages and their disciples is not to pray unless their heads are wrapped in the Talith (praying shawl).​​​​​​​

ומותר בנשים ובקטנים שאין נקראין שחורי הראש אלא אנשים מאי טעמא אנשים זימנין דמיכסו רישייהו וזימנין דמגלו רישייהו אבל נשים לעולם מיכסו וקטנים לעולם מיגלו
The mishna states: But he is permitted to derive benefit from women and from children, because only men are called: Those with dark heads. The Gemara explains: What is the reason for this? Men sometimes cover their heads and sometimes uncover their heads. They can be called dark heads since, for the most part, they have dark hair which is often uncovered. But women’s heads are always covered, and children’s heads are always uncovered, and the expression dark heads is referring to men whose hair is sometimes seen.
רבינא הוה יתיב קמיה דר' ירמיה מדיפתי חלף ההוא גברא קמיה ולא מיכסי רישא אמר כמה חציף הא גברא א"ל דלמא ממתא מחסיא ניהו דגיסי בה רבנן
The Gemara cites another incident involving honor one demonstrates for his teacher. Once, when Ravina was sitting before Rabbi Yirmeya of Difti, a certain man passed before him and did not cover his head. Ravina said: How rude is this man, who does not show respect by covering his head in honor of a rabbi. Rabbi Yirmeya of Difti said to him: Perhaps he is from the city of Mata Meḥasya, where rabbis are common and the people living there are consequently not as careful to display honor as those in other places.
וּלְשָׁם מוֹצִיא כָל כְּלֵי תַשְׁמִישׁוֹ, וְלוֹבֵשׁ כָּל מַה שֶּׁיָּכוֹל לִלְבּשׁ, וְעוֹטֵף כָּל מַה שֶּׁיָּכוֹל לַעֲטֹף. רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר, שְׁמֹנָה עָשָׂר כֵּלִים. וְחוֹזֵר וְלוֹבֵשׁ וּמוֹצִיא, וְאוֹמֵר לַאֲחֵרִים, בֹּאוּ וְהַצִּילוּ עִמִּי:
And to there he may carry out all his utensils; And he may wear all that he can wear and wrap himself in all that he can wrap himself. Rabbi Yose says: [only] eighteen pieces of clothing. Then he may go back in and put on [more clothes] and carry them out. And he may say to others, “Come and save with me.”
לבושה לא בושה גלימא שנעשה בו כגלם גולתא גלי ואיתיב פוריא שפרין ורבין עליה בור זינקא בור זה נקי סודרא סוד ה׳ ליראיו אפדנא אפיתחא דין תנו רבנן שלשה כל זמן שמזקינין מוסיפין גבורה ואלו הן דג ונחש וחזיר:
An outer garment is called levusha, which is an acronym for lo busha, which means no shame, as one who is clothed is no longer ashamed. A broad outer garment is called gelima, an allusion to the fact that, by wearing it, one is transformed into an amorphous golem-like figure, as his limbs are indistiguishable. A beautiful coat is termed golta, which is an acronym for geli ve’eitiv, which means reveal, remove the coat, and only then I will sit, so that the coat will not get dirty. A bed is called purya, an allusion to the fact that people parin veravin, which means procreate, upon it. An empty pit is called bor zinka, which is an acronym for bor ze naki, which means that this pit is empty of water. The head covering of Torah scholars is called sudara, an acronym for sod yareh, which is a reference to the verse: “The counsel of the Lord is with them who fear Him [sod Hashem lire’av]” (Psalms 25:14). A palace is called apadna, which is an acronym for apitḥa dein, meaning: To this entrance all come. The Gemara cites an additional baraita related to the nature of the creatures. There are three creatures that grow mightier with age, and they are the fish, and the snake, and the pig.
רבי חייא בר אבא אשכחיה לריב"ל דשדי דיסנא ארישיה וקא ממטי ליה לינוקא לבי כנישתא א"ל מאי כולי האי א"ל מי זוטר מאי דכתיב והודעתם לבניך וסמיך ליה יום אשר עמדת לפני ה' אלהיך בחורב מכאן ואילך רבי חייא בר אבא לא טעים אומצא עד דמקרי לינוקא ומוספיה רבה בר רב הונא לא טעים אומצא עד דמייתי לינוקא לבית מדרשא

The Gemara relates: Once Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba encountered Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi, and saw that he had placed an inexpensive covering on his head and brought his child to the synagogue to study. Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said to him: What is the reason for all this fuss, as you are in such a hurry that you do not have time to dress yourself properly? Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said to him: Is it insignificant, that which is written: “But make them known to your sons,” and juxtaposed to it is the phrase in the verse that states: “The day when you stood before the Lord your God in Horeb”? The Gemara comments: From this moment onward, Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba would not taste meat [umtza], meaning he would not eat breakfast, before he had read to his child and added to the child’s studies from the day before. Similarly, Rabba bar Rav Huna would not taste meat before he had brought his child to the study hall.

ולולי שאינני רגיל לחלוק על הקדמונים א"ל שיש גדול שיסייעני הייתי נוטה להקל ולברך בגילוי הראש ואפילו לקרות ק"ש שרי שהרי איתא במדרש רבה אמר רבי ברכיה מלך ב"ו משגר פרוטגמא שלו למדינה מה הם עושין כל בני המדינה עומדים על רגליהם ופורעים את ראשיהן ורואין אותה באימה ביראה ברתת ובזיע אבל הקב"ה ית' אומר לישראל קראו ק"ש ברוטגמא דידי הרי לא הטרחתי עליכם לקרות לא עומדים ולא פרועי ראש כו' משמע להדיא דליכא איסור בפריעת ראש אלא שלא החמיר עליהם ומה אעשה שכבר הורו לאיסור.
If not for the fact that I do not usually dispute earlier authorities unless there is a great authority to support me, I would incline toward leniency and in favor of reciting blessings with an uncovered head. Even the recitation of Shema is permitted, for it states in Midrash Rabba (Vayikra §27): R. Berekhya said: A flesh-and-blood king sends his charter to the province, what do they do? All residents of the province stand up, uncover their heads, and read it with fear, awe, trembling, and perspiration. But the Holy One, blessed be He, says to Israel: Recite the Shema, My charter. I do not trouble you to read it standing or with your heads uncovered. This clearly implies that it is not forbidden to uncover one’s head; rather, He did not impose [an uncovered head] as a stringency. But what can I do? They have already ruled this to be forbidden.
תשובה אין אני יודע איסור לברך בלא כסוי ראש ומהרא"י פשוט לו שאסור בהזכרת שם בלא כיסוי הראש ולא ידענא ממאי והנה מצאתי שכתב במסכת סופרים יש בו מחלוק' שכתב פוחח הנראים כרעיו או בגדיו פרומים או מי שראשו מגולה ואינו רשאי להוציא הזכרה מפיו ע"כ ור' ירוחם כתב בסוף נתיב ט"ז שאסור לברך בגילוי הראש.
Response: I know of no prohibition against reciting a blessing without [wearing] a head covering. Yet it was obvious to Maharai (=R. Yisrael Isserlein) that it is forbidden to invoke God’s name without the head covered, and I do not know whence [he infers that]. Now I have found that it is written in tractate Soferim (14:15) that there is a dispute: “A shabby person whose knees are visible or whose clothing is torn, or one whose head is uncovered, may lead the prayers (“pores et ha-Shema”), but some say that one may lead with knees [showing] or torn clothes, but not with an uncovered head. And he may not let mention [of God’s name] leave his mouth.” R. Yeruham wrote at the end of §16 that it is forbidden to recite a blessing with an uncovered head.
אבל בזה תמיהני שנהגו איסור בפריעת ראש אף בלא תפלה ולא ידעתי מאין זה להם כי לא מצינו איסור בפריעת הראש כי אם לאשה כדאיתא בפ' המדיר וממידת חסידות הוא שלא לילך ד' אמות בגילוי הראש ודוקא הליכה ד"א (מו') כדאיתא בפר' כל כתבי א"ר חנינא תיתי לי דלא סגינא ד' אמות בגילוי הראש והוא ממידת חסידות כמ' שחשוב שם אינך תיתי לי כו' ועוד ראייה מפ"ק דקידושין שמסיק שם אמר ריב"ל אסור להלוך ד' אמות בקומה זקופה שנ' מלא כל הארץ כבודו רב הונא בריה דרב יהושע לא מסגי ד' אמות בגילוי הראש אמר שכינה למעלה מראשי משמע דוקא בקומה זקופה הוא אסור אבל בגילוי הראש אין בו איסור אלא דרב הונא החמיר על עצמו מכח מידת חסידות ועכשיו הוא להיפך בקומה זקופה אינם נזהרים ואדרבה הגאים והעשירים הולכים נטויי גרון ובגילוי הראש נזהרים לא מחמת חסידות אלא סוברים דת יהודית הוא.
Yet I am astonished that they treat uncovering the head as forbidden even when not praying. I do not know whence they derived this, for we find no prohibition against an uncovered head except in the case of a woman, as stated in the chapter “Ha-madir” (Ketubot 72b), and that it reflects piety (midat hasidut, i.e., not actually required by law) not to walk four cubits with an uncovered head. Yet this is specifically walking four cubits, as stated in the chapter “Kol Kitvei” (Shabbat 118b): “R. Hanina said: I deserve it, for I did not walk four cubits with an uncovered head.” This reflects piety, like all of the other examples of “I deserve” listed there. Further evidence is from the first chapter of Kiddushin (31a), which rules: R. Yehoshua b. Levi said: It is forbidden to walk four cubits with an upright posture, as it is stated: ‘The whole world is filled with His glory’ (Yeshayahu 6:3). R. Huna b. R. Yehoshua would not walk four cubits with his head uncovered. He would say: ‘The divine presence is above my head.’ This implies that specifically walking with an erect posture is forbidden, but it is not forbidden to do so with one’s head uncovered. Rather, R. Huna was stringent with himself, motivated by piety. Nowadays, the opposite is the case: they are not careful about avoiding an erect posture. On the contrary, the proud and the rich walk around with their heads held high, but they are careful about uncovering their heads—not because of piety, but because they think this is the Jewish religion.
עוד מצאתי כתוב הא דגלוי הראש כו' היינו באויר השמים דוקא וכן נראה לפרש הא דקומה זקופה אף שמלא כל הארץ כבודו מ"מ אינו נראה כאילו אינו משגיח בעושיהן כי אם מי שהולך באויר השמים ושם יש לו לזכות ולהתעורר אף שמהררא"י כתב שאין לחלק בין בית לחצר כי מלא הארץ כבודו היינו בהזכרת השם וכן מסתבר שמדת חסידות הוא בהזכרת השם שלא יהא בגילוי הראש כמו הולך ד' אמות באויר השמים וכן מצאתי כתוב בשם הר"ם שכל זה מידת חסידות אלא שהרי"ף כתב שיש למחות שלא לכנס בב"ה בגילוי וכן הטור לא כתב ויכסה ראשו אלא גבי תפלה ולא גבי ק"ש ומה אעשה שהעם נהגו בו איסור ואיני רשאי להקל בפניהם.
I have also found written that this statement about an uncovered head only applies out under the open sky. This is a reasonable explanation of the case of the erect posture—even though the entire world is filled with His glory, nevertheless, one does not look as though he is ignoring his Maker except when he walks out under the open sky. It is there that one must remember and maintain vigilance. And even though R. Isserlein wrote that there is no distinction between home and courtyard, for the whole world is filled with His glory, this only applies to the case of invoking God’s name. Indeed, it stands to reason that refraining from invoking God’s name with an uncovered head reflects piety, much like the case of walking four cubits in the open air. I have also found this written in the name of R. Meir [of Rothenburg], namely, that this is all a matter of pious practice, although R. Peretz wrote that one should object to someone entering the synagogue with an uncovered head. Moreover, Tur does not state “and he shall cover his head” except with regard to prayer, not with regard to the recitation of the Shema. But what can I do? The people practice this as a prohibition, and I have no authority to be lenient in their presence.
ושמעתי על חכם אחד כשהיה לומד היה לומד בגילוי הראש ואמר שכבד עליו המשא ומ"מ נראה בעיני אף שאין איסור בדבר ואף לא מידות חסידות כשאינו מזכיר השם מ"מ דת"ח יש לו להזהר מאחר שהעם תופסים בה לקלות ולפריצות כאלו עובר על דת יהודית ואפי' לומד בחדרו אין לסמוך על זה שמא העם הארץ יראה ויקל בו לא בחינם אמרו כל שאסור מפני מראית העין אפי' בחדרי חדרים אסור.
I have heard of a sage who would study Torah with his head uncovered, saying that the weight was too heavy for him. Nevertheless, it seems to me that although it is not forbidden, and it is not even an act of piety if one is not invoking God’s name, a Torah scholar should still be cautious, for the people perceive it as laxity and permissiveness, as though he transgressed the Jewish religion. Even if he is studying in his room, he should not rely on this, lest an ignoramus see him and make light of him. It is not for naught that they say that anything forbidden because of how it looks (mar’it ayin) is even forbidden in the innermost chambers.
ועכשיו אני אגלה את קלון האשכנזים בודאי מי ששותה יין נסך במלון של גוים ואוכל דגים מבושלים בכלי שלהם והמחטי' הוא שמאמין לפונדיקי' שלא בשלו בה אין חוששין עליו ואין בודקין אחוריו ונוהגין בו כבוד אם הוא עשיר ותקיף ומי שהיה אוכל ושותה בהכשר רק שהיה בגילוי הראש היו תופסין אותו כאלו יצא מן הכלל ע"כ החכם עיניו בראשו ידע להשמר שלא יתפסו עליו ואם כבד עליו להניח על ראשו דבר כבד יכסה ראשו בבגד פשתן דק או במשי.
Now I will disclose the shame of Ashkenazim. Certainly one who drinks libation wine (yeyn nesekh) in a gentile’s inn, and eats fish cooked in their vessels, and who is considered strict if he trusts the innkeeper’s wife when she says that she did not cook anything else in them, is not under any suspicion. We do not investigate him, and we treat him with respect if he is rich and powerful. But one who eats and drinks only kosher food, but he does so with his head uncovered, is perceived to be a deviant. Therefore, “the wise man has his eyes in his head” (Kohelet 2:14) and will know to protect himself so that they do not attack him. If placing something heavy on his head will weigh upon him, he should cover his head with a garment of fine linen or silk.
ומ"מ נראה אפי' מי שירצה לברך ברכת נהנין והוא בלילה שאין לו כובע עליו או כשרוחץ באמבטי די לו במה שמכסה את ראשו בידיו אף שגדול אחר העתיק לאיסור ומהררא"י הביאו וראייתו מר"ת שכשהיה רוחץ בחמין והיה שות' היה מתכסה בבגד כנגד לבו כו' משמע דוקא בבגד ולא בידים אין זה ראייה כי מה לא חשוב כיסוי שדרך האדם להניח ידיו על לבו והרואה לא יצא שצריך לכסות את הלב או ידמה לו שלא כסהו ממש כנגד הלב אבל למעלה מראשו שהוא דבר הניכר מספיק בכיסוי היד בפרט לפי מה שכתבתי שאין בו איסור כ"א חסידות מספיק לו כיסוי היד בפרטי באקראי בעלמא:
Still, it seems reasonable that even one who wishes to recite a blessing over consumption (Birkat ha-nehenin) at night, when he has no hat on, or while he is bathing, it is sufficient for him to cover his head with his hands, even though one major authority has recorded that this is forbidden, and R. Isserlein cites him. Their proof is that Rabbeinu Tam, when he was bathing in warm water and would drink, would cover himself with a garment over the place of his heart, not with his hands. But this is no proof, for the reason this is not considered covering is that it is normal for someone to place his hands on his heart, and one who sees this will not know that one needs to cover his heart, or will imagine that he did not really cover the area over the heart. However, since it is discernable, it is sufficient to use the hand as a cover above his head, especially given what I have written, namely, that this is not a prohibition but merely a matter of piety. It is therefore sufficient to use the hand as a cover in an impromptu fashion.
יג. הַכִּסּוּי שֶׁל הָראשׁ מֵבִיא לִידֵי יִרְאָה.
13. Covering the head brings one to fear of G-d.
אמר רב חסדא שוק באשה ערוה שנאמר גלי שוק עברי נהרות וכתיב תגל ערותך וגם תראה חרפתך אמר שמואל קול באשה ערוה שנאמר כי קולך ערב ומראך נאוה אמר רב ששת שער באשה ערוה שנאמר שערך כעדר העזים:
Along these lines, Rav Ḥisda said: Even a woman’s exposed leg is considered nakedness, as it is stated: “Uncover the leg and pass through the rivers” (Isaiah 47:2), and it is written in the following verse: “Your nakedness shall be revealed and your shame shall be seen” (Isaiah 47:3). Shmuel further stated: A woman’s singing voice is considered nakedness, which he derives from the praise accorded a woman’s voice, as it is stated: “Sweet is your voice and your countenance is alluring” (Song of Songs 2:14). Similarly, Rav Sheshet stated: Even a woman’s hair is considered nakedness, for it too is praised, as it is written: “Your hair is like a flock of goats, trailing down from Mount Gilead” (Song of Songs 4:1).
ואיזוהי דת יהודית יוצאה וראשה פרוע: ראשה פרוע דאורייתא היא דכתיב (במדבר ה, יח) ופרע את ראש האשה ותנא דבי רבי ישמעאל אזהרה לבנות ישראל שלא יצאו בפרוע ראש דאורייתא קלתה שפיר דמי דת יהודית אפילו קלתה נמי אסור אמר רבי אסי אמר ר' יוחנן קלתה אין בה משום פרוע ראש הוי בה רבי זירא היכא אילימא בשוק דת יהודית היא ואלא בחצר אם כן לא הנחת בת לאברהם אבינו שיושבת תחת בעלה אמר אביי ואיתימא רב כהנא מחצר לחצר ודרך מבוי: וטווה בשוק: אמר רב יהודה אמר שמואל במראה זרועותיה לבני אדם רב חסדא אמר אבימי בטווה ורד כנגד פניה: ומדברת עם כל אדם: אמר רב יהודה אמר שמואל במשחקת עם בחורים אמר רבה בר בר חנה זימנא חדא הוה קאזילנא בתריה דרב עוקבא חזיתיה לההיא ערביא דהוה יתבה קא שדיא פילכה וטווה ורד כנגד פניה כיון דחזיתינן פסיקתיה לפילכה שדיתיה אמרה לי עולם הב לי פלך אמר בה רב עוקבא מילתא מאי אמר בה רבינא אמר טווה בשוק אמר בה רבנן אמרי מדברת עם כל אדם אמר בה:
§ The mishna stated: And who is considered a woman who violates the precepts of Jewish women? One who goes out and her head is uncovered. The Gemara asks: The prohibition against a woman going out with her head uncovered is not merely a custom of Jewish women. Rather, it is by Torah law, as it is written with regard to a woman suspected by her husband of having been unfaithful: “And he shall uncover the head of the woman” (Numbers 5:18). And the school of Rabbi Yishmael taught: From here there is a warning to Jewish women not to go out with an uncovered head, since if the Torah states that a woman suspected of adultery must have her head uncovered, this indicates that a married woman must generally cover her head. The Gemara explains: By Torah law, if she covers her head with her basket [kilta], it seems well and is sufficient. But by precepts of Jewish women, i.e., custom, even if her head is covered by her basket this is also prohibited; she requires a substantial head covering. Rabbi Asi said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: If she covers her head with her basket, there is no violation of the prohibition against having an uncovered head. Rabbi Zeira discussed it: Where is the woman that Rabbi Yoḥanan is referring to? If we say he means that she appears this way in the marketplace, this is a violation of precepts of Jewish women, as explained previously. And if you say rather that he means she appears this way in her own courtyard, if so, you have not allowed any daughter of our father Abraham to remain with her husband, since most women are not careful to cover their heads completely inside their own courtyards. Abaye said, and some say that Rav Kahana said: Rabbi Yoḥanan is referring to when she walks from one courtyard to another courtyard or via an alleyway. Although these places are not considered public areas, strangers may still be present in them. § And the mishna stated that a woman violates Jewish custom if she spins wool in the marketplace. Rav Yehuda said that Shmuel said: This means that she reveals her arms to people by raising her sleeves as she spins. Rav Ḥisda said that Avimi said: It is referring to when she spins with a red [vered] thread opposite her face to highlight her beauty, which entails an element of promiscuity. The mishna also stated another violation of Jewish custom: Or she speaks with every man she encounters. Rav Yehuda said that Shmuel said: This means that she flirts with young men. Rabba bar bar Ḥanna said: One time I was walking behind Rav Ukva. I saw an Arab woman who was sitting, casting her spindle, and spinning a red thread opposite her face. Once she saw us, she tore the spindle from the thread and threw it down. She said to me: Young man, give me the spindle. Rav Ukva made a comment about her, noting that she provided an example of one of the types of promiscuity mentioned in the mishna. The Gemara asks: What did he say about her? Which one of the cases in the mishna did he mention? Ravina said: He said about her that she was an example of a woman who licentiously spins in the marketplace. The Rabbis said: He said about her that she was an example of a woman who licentiously speaks with every man.
וּכְשֵׁם שֶׁהוּא אָסוּר כְּנֶגֶד עֶרְוַת אֲחֵרִים כָּךְ הוּא אָסוּר לִקְרוֹת כְּנֶגֶד עֶרְוָתוֹ וְלֹא יִקְרָא כְּשֶׁהוּא עָרֹם עַד שֶׁיְּכַסֶּה עֶרְוָתוֹ. הָיְתָה חֲגוֹרָה שֶׁל בֶּגֶד אוֹ עוֹר אוֹ שַׂק עַל מָתְנָיו אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁשְּׁאָר גּוּפוֹ עָרֹם מֻתָּר לוֹ לִקְרוֹת קְרִיאַת שְׁמַע וְהוּא שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיֶה עֲקֵבוֹ נוֹגֵעַ בְּעֶרְוָתוֹ. הָיָה יָשֵׁן בְּטַלִּיתוֹ וְהָיָה עָרֹם חוֹצֵץ בְּטַלִּיתוֹ מִתַּחַת לִבּוֹ וְקוֹרֵא. אֲבָל לֹא יָחֹץ צַוָּארוֹ וְיִקְרָא מִפְּנֵי שֶׁלִּבּוֹ רוֹאֶה אֶת הָעֶרְוָה וְנִמְצָא כְּמִי שֶׁקּוֹרֵא בְּלֹא חֲגוֹרָה:
And just as one is forbidden to read the Shema in the presence of any one, the lower part of whose body is exposed, so it is forbidden for anyone to read it, who is himself in the same condition. One must accordingly not read it when nude, till he covers his nakedness. If his loins are covered with a girdle of cloth, skin or sacking, he may read the Shema, even though the rest of the body is uncovered, provided that (when sitting cross-legged) his heel does not touch his privy parts. If he is lying under a coverlid, and is otherwise without clothing, he should draw the coverlid closely below his heart, and then read the Shema. But he should not draw it about his neck and read it, for in that case there would be nothing separating his heart from the lower part of his body, and he would be in the same class with one who recites the Shema without wearing a girdle.