Pearls of the Word

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The spiritual Kippa

by Jean-Louis Coraboeuf

"For I say to every man that is among you, through the grace given unto me, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith" (Romans 12:3).

The Hebrew word kippa means dome and is translated as yarmulke in Aramaic, which is to say, "fear of the Lord". The wearing of the kippa is, therefore, for the Jews, a mark of respect, for they show by this that they recognise the presence of God above them (The kippa is worn gently placed on the back of the head).

The apostle Paul said to the Christians in Rome, "Do not have too high an opinion of yourselves". We also then are invited to put on our spiritual kippa as we clothe our souls with noble feelings and remember that God is above all our thinking. That will allow us to be led by more wisdom and humility.