I Very much enjoyed your article. Other than the BegedIvri site go you know where one might obtain traditional Yisraelite clothing?

Shalom Moshe,

Thank you for your interest in my article. Being that we are a diverse faith community, ingathered from ethnic groups of Jews separated from one another by many centuries, it is a given that we look different. Nonetheless, I recommend the dress of ethnic Middle Eastern Jewry to Jews of all backgrounds. Just as a Yemenite Jew visiting Russia would do well to wear a warm streimel and long, thick coat, it is only natural for Jews of European ethnic background in Israel to dress according to the climate and ethnic Jewish customs of this region.

And yes, that sends the subtle message to the world –not just the Arabs– that we identify with our ancient Hebrew roots in this Land, and are picking up from where our exiled ancestors left off. It is a subtle statement that we view our right to this land not to be based merely on the decisions of the U.N., but on our being her indigenous sons and daughters who have returned to reclaim that which was given to us by HaShem as an everlasting heritage.

According to the example you gave, a turban can be an excellent place to start — especially for tefillah.

With Blessings from EreS HaQodesh,

Michael Shelomo Bar-Ron

You wrote:

“The black garbed Polish look and black hats/streimels…make us look foreign to this land…The Arabs pick up on it, as does as the rest of the world…they say, “See? These Jews came and stole our land. They don’t belong here – go back to Europe!”

Well, my mother is Ashkenazi and my father is (non-Jewish) Russian. The result is, that I look as European as they come. Blue eyes and light brown hair. I guess you could easily say I look foreign to the Land. A huge percentage of Ashkenazi Jews look like that, they would have looked European(and really odd) even if they all wore turbans and all that.
I’m sure “the Arabs pick on [Ashkenazi looks and] say, “See? These Jews came and stole our land. They don’t belong here – go back to Europe!]. Should we feel bad about it? Should I perhaps dye my hair black to convince the Arabs that I belong in the Land? My point is- looks dont make a Jew. Who cares what the Arabs think in this regard.
Now do you perhaps have any suggestions about how those of us of European background should dress. My ancestors werent from Bagdad,should I still wear a turban? :-))
With respect
Moshe

Sincerely,

Mori Mikha’el Shelomo Bar-Ron

Blessings,

Mori Mikha’el Shelomo Bar-Ron

You wrote:

“The black garbed Polish look and black hats/streimels…make us look foreign to this land…The Arabs pick up on it, as does as the rest of the world…they say, “See? These Jews came and stole our land. They don’t belong here – go back to Europe!”

I am most gratefull sir that You brought up this subject, at last some one did. And I think the old dresscode should at least be, as a first step, for all of us at festivals held in Eretz Yisrael, and why not include the IDF at special State Cermonies with fitting warrior style of the past!

I was wondering if it would possible to further elaborate and build upon on the idea of the Jewish people returning to donning a more Israelite form of clothing, whlist making use of practical advances without compromises (such as trainers and army clothing).

I am aware that the Temple Institue is already selling Priestly garments, but has someone actually attempted to create or commission a modern non-western reinterpretation of ancient Hebrew clothing for both men and women?