[Adam25149]

Hmm… I know quite a few Jewish guys with dark, curly hair — I think that’s just genetic. I’m Jewish, my family’s originally from Eastern Europe, and none of us have curly hair. I think it sounds like you’re asking about payos, the sidelocks — one of my non-Jewish friends calls them ‘super-sideburns.’ Not the most erudite description but that about sums it up. In very traditional, Orthodox Jewish communities it’s customary for the men to grow out their sidelocks, wear black hats, black pants and shoes, also tzitsis — a fringed undergarment, with 4 tassels hanging out from underneath the shirt. The tzitis are Biblically mandated so that we remember mitzvot, God’s commandments — er… somewhere in Exodus or Leviticus, I believe, forgive me if I can’t find the citation. It’s the same idea as tallisim — fringed garments worn by many Jews during morning prayers. There are some real differences here with different levels of observance — ultra-Orthodox, some modern Orthodox and some Conservative Jews will wear the fringes all of the time. But getting back to the payos and the hats and the dark clothing, I’m not entirely sure how those traditions started. Funny thing about Jewish traditions, sometimes it’s easier to explain how we do something than why. Good question and I’d love to know if someone out there has an answer.

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Name : Adam25149, Gender : M, Religion : Jewish, Age : 18, City : Nashville, State : TN, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, 

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