Friday 16 August 2013

Parsha Ki Seitzi; The Fedora and Lo Tilbash

The Origin of the Fedora and its implications with regard to Lo Tilbash
Something to consider, contemplate and meditate upon.

It started as a Begged Eeshah

It was first worn by an unsurly character in a 19th Century Play.

Its origins conjure up very unseemly characters, at least by Orthodox standards

1. A cross-dresser
2. A morally flawed Prince of Wales - [who was a Nazi sympathizer yet!]
3. Women's Rights Activists. WOW!


Yet, it went from
Issur Gamur [for a man] to
Muttar to
Hiddur to
Hiyyuv Gamur :-)
In about 120 years.

«The word fedora comes from the title of an 1882 play by dramatist Victorien Sardou, Fédora, written for Sarah Bernhardt.[3] The play was first performed in the United States in 1889.

Bernhardt played Princess Fédora, the heroine of the play. During the play, Bernhardt, *a notorious cross-dresser*, wore a center-creased, soft brimmed hat. *Women's-rights activists adopted the fashion*.

Men began to wear them with city clothes after 1924, led by Britain's Prince Edward, the most influential man of fashion in his day. It was popular for its stylishness and its ability to protect the wearer's head from the wind and weather. Since the early part of the 20th century, many Haredi and other Orthodox Jews have made black fedoras normative to their daily wear.[4]
Fedora - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fedora


Bottom Line:
What constitutes Begged Eeshah usually depends upon Societal Convention and not so much upon its origins.

As to how something becomes Tahor after having such a "colourful past" is food for thought. EG is Wagner's music now OK?

Best Regards,
RRW

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