Expert: Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner - 5/5/2011

Question
QUESTION: I was watching a documentary at least a movie, it was about a young child who happened to have down syndrome was blessed with gift of prayer. Which brings me to wonder about the differences in Yarmulkes that they wore? I am not Jewish and I was wondering if this had special meaning. The boys family include the young man, wore a Yarmulke that almost if didn't completely covered the back of the head. I would want to call it a full hat style of the lack of better terms. The ones I had always seen in the past was much smaller a bigger than a sand dollar. Did this have a special meaning or is it just a personal choice of style that you choice. I would like to thank you taking the time to educate someone.

ANSWER: Dear Becky,

Thanks for writing.

Your question unfortunately is based on a film. If you would or could send me the name of the film I would be more able to answer definitively.

It sounds as though you are describing an Orthodox or Hassidic Jews (a group of Orthodox with distinctive religious perspectives)as many of them wear a large, black broad-brim hat, a Fedora I was told that is the style   "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fedora"

Most modern observant Jewish men cover their heads when involved in ritual or in a religious institution, if not all the time. Some wear a knitted head covering, as you observed. Consider
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kippah.

Jewish families with Downs Syndrome children most often raise these children in their families and hence you may have seen a film or documentary about an Orthodox family or about special needs children in the Orthodox community. This would account in part for your description of their head coverings.

I do look forward to the name of the film and I hope that these pictures in the Wiki will help.

BTW I wear a kipah s'rugah, a knitted kipah.   

Thanks again for writing.

Rabbi Dov

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The film was "Praying with Lior" thanks for the information.

Answer
Dear Becky,

Thanks for the title. I thought it was so. It is a documentary about a real young man. I will attach a comment I found on line. I worked with young teens in Camp Ramah and taught them, both Judaica and also archery! Those with Downs Syndrome were delightful, loving, enthusiastic campers.

While in camp, my son taught one of these special needs campers to read Torah and he then celebrated a Bar Mitzvah with the camp. It was special in so many ways - for me watching my son watching his student, while a counselor who had worked with of them - and outside through a window watched the father, so Orthodox that he wouldn't pray or even step into a "Conservative" synagogue, even for his own son's triumph - the mother and sister were inside.

I'm going to have rent the film and watch - thanks for telling and for recalling my own memories of these special Jews!

Rabbi Dov