Q&A: Studying Without a Kippah
Studying Without a Kippah
Question
During a workday, when there are five minutes here and there, is it permitted to study Torah — whether as an obligation on the person or with respect to the object studied — without a kippah, at least in one’s head without pronouncing the words?
Answer
There is no difference whether you pronounce the words or not. If there is no alternative, it is permitted. Covering one’s head is not an obligation according to strict Jewish law.
Discussion on Answer
It includes everything. The Tetragrammaton is pronounced as the name Lordship, so there is no practical difference between them.
I just now saw in the Shulchan Arukh (Orach Chayim 91:3), where it says: “Some say that it is forbidden to utter a divine name with an uncovered head, and some say that one should protest against entering the synagogue bareheaded,” end quote.
So doesn’t one need a kippah as a matter of law in order to pronounce the Tetragrammaton?
As I understand it, this is not a matter of strict law, but rather a custom that is nowadays regarded as having strong force. See Sha’arei Teshuvah there, subsection 3. In the Shulchan Arukh, as in its abridgment, he does not always insist on distinguishing between law and custom.
Ahhh, good to know. Thanks.
Does that include the Tetragrammaton?