Urim Publications recently published a book on this topic, called Hide and Seek: Jewish Women and Hair Covering. Below is a copy of the review it received in the AJL Newsletter. Feel free to check out more critical reviews it has received at www.UrimPublications.com
Sincerely, Tzvi Mauer Publisher Urim Publications * * * Hide and Seek: Jewish Women and Hair Covering by Lynne Schreiber 224 pages, ISBN 965-7108-48-9 Observant Jewish women traditionally cover their hair after they marry. For them, hair is erotic and only their husbands may enjoy it. Although wearing a shaitel (wig), tichel (kerchief), snood, scarf, or hat is common practice, it is by no means uniformly accepted. Covering hair was a sign of modesty in society throughout history, but times and definitions of modesty have changed. The Jewish legal texts on the subject are also open to interpretation. Ms. Schreiber has collected twenty-fix essays about kisui rosh from a variety of women (and one man) who explain why they choose to cover, or not cover their hair. All belong to Orthodox communities. Introductory and concluding material explain the halachot of hair and a glossary provides definitions of Hebrew and Yiddish terms. This book is unique in its examination of a religious practice that affects a woman's identity and self-image by changing her appearance. Observing this commandment is challenging, and these essays explaining why women choose to cover or not to cover their hair demonstrate the diversity of our Jewish communities. Barbara M. Bibel AJL Newsletter Urim Publications Lambda Publishers, Inc. 3709 13th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11218 tel. 718-972-5449 fax. 718-972-6307 cell. 718-288-8300 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.UrimPublications.com =========================================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
