Product Code Database
A wimpel (, from German language, "cloth," derived from Old German, bewimfen, meaning "to cover up" or "conceal")Kaniel, Dr. Michael. "The Wimpel: Binding the Family to the Torah". Jewish Action, Summer 1993, Vol. 53, No. 3, pp. 41-44. is a long, linen sash used as a binding for the Sefer Torah by of Ashkenazi Jews origin. It is made from the cloth used to swaddle a baby boy at his bris milah, uniting the communal world of the synagogue with the individual's own life cycle.
The wimpel is an offshoot of a common Jewish practice. In the times of the Tannaim, all Torah scrolls were wrapped only with a cloth, known in Hebrew as a “ mappah,” or in German, a “wimpel.” As with other holy Judaic objects, donating a mappah was considered to be a great mitzvah and honor, and very often a groom would donate one on the eve of his wedding. Most of these were made from old clothing. While some Rabbis approved of this practice, others did not because they felt that it was not proper respect for the Torah. Unlike these controversial “second-hand” mappot, the cloth used at a baby's circumcision was undoubtedly holy, and it gradually became the custom to donate these as mappot.
There are many variations as to what takes place at the actual wimpel ceremony. One common approach is to bring it to synagogue when the boy turns three and is toilet-trained. He and his father get the aliyah of gelilah, and together they wrap the wimpel around the Torah. (Variations include the child's age, the type of aliyah, and the extent of the child's participation in the actual ceremony.) Afterwards, the family invites the community to join them for a kiddush, a small celebratory party.
This custom is still observed today by most members of the German community. It is an extremely joyous occasion, and its main purpose is to instill a love and enthusiasm for shul and Judaism within the child.
This incident highlighted the connection between the Torah and circumcision, as both relate to covenants that the Jewish people have with God (the covenants of Torah and circumcision). The custom gradually developed into the one that is practiced today by German Jews: At a baby's circumcision, the mohel places a long swatch of white cloth – the wimpel – under the pillow. Afterwards, the wimpel is beautifully decorated – it can be either painted or embroidered – with the child's name, date of birth, and the Hebrew phrase which states “Just like he entered the covenant circumcision, so too he should the Torah, marriage, and good deeds.” Some mothers do the artwork themselves; others retain the services of “wimpel professionals,” e.g., men or women who do this as a side job or hobby.
Another explanation comes from an 80-year-old lady who remembers a ceremony from her synagogue in Germany, where the young child was brought to the synagogue once he was free of diapers, and the women would throw the wimpel on the Torah, while the men carried the Torah below the Court of Women (Ezrat Nashim).
The wimpel was then dedicated to the synagogue, symbolizing the fact the child is now pure, and can take part in the service.
| Chuppah and Torah Scroll | |
| Images relating to the traditional blessing are frequently found on wimpels. The idea of founding a Jewish family as a married couple and passing on religious traditions is an idealised wish for the future of the young boy, usually represented by images of chuppahs and Torah scrolls painted or embroidered onto the wimpel. | |
| Crown | |
| The crown represents the „Crown of the Torah.“ It is set on a multitude of ritual objects and emphasizes the Torah’s claim to authority. On wimpels it is often depicted directly above the Torah scroll, as seen here. The crown may differ according to the time, place and relevant monarchic system. | |
| Lions | |
| The appearance of lions on wimpels is probably linked to a popular saying in the Mishnah, Pirkei Avot, V:20: “Be bold as a leopard, light as an eagle, fleeting as a deer and mighty as a lion to do the will of your Father in Heaven.” A lion may also symbolize the name of the owner of the wimpel: Löw/Ariel. From an early date, Lions were associated with the Tribes of Israel, Judah and Dan. | |
| Deer and scorpions (animals and astrological signs) | |
| On wimpels, the zodiac sign designates the constellation under which the child was born. Other animals may be linked to the aforementioned popular saying in the Mishnah, Pirkei Avot. Deer may also give an indication of the child’s name: Zvi (Hebrew), Hirsch (German), Herschl (Yiddish). | |
| Tree, plants, flowers | |
| The Torah is often equated with the “Tree of Life.” Depictions of plants, trees, or vases of flowers (as seen here) figuratively represent the connection between the child’s life and the Torah. (2025). 9783796546075 ISBN 9783796546075 |
Rabbi Shimon Schwab, Rav of Khal Adath Yeshurun synagogue in Washington Heights, New York, which revived the custom among the younger generation of Yekke congregants, suggested that perhaps the source of the wimpel custom was to avoid knotting and unknotting a tie around the Torah on Shabbat ( see the 39 categories of activity prohibited on the Sabbath).
On that first Shabbat that the wimpel is presented and used, the child's family makes a kiddush in honor of their son's entering into a life of Torah.
Some wimpels were even used as a decorative banner on the chuppah itself.
|
|
