Sephardic Chief Rabbi official dress

The wardrobe of the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, also known as the Rishon LeZion, reflects centuries of Jewish religious, cultural, and historical tradition, especially the customs of Sephardic Jews originating from Spain, North Africa, and the Middle East. This formal attire consists primarily of two elements: a ceremonial robe called the "Glima" and a turban/headdress known as the "Mitznefet". Together, these garments symbolize the sacred duties of the Chief Rabbi and the heritage of the Sephardic Jewish communities.

Nomination of the New Sephardic Chief Rabbis

Glima

The Glima, a long, flowing robe is a central feature of the Sephardic Chief Rabbi's official attire. Typically black, the robe signifies dignity and reverence. Crafted from fine fabrics such as silk or wool, the Glima is often adorned with silver or gold embroidery along the cuffs and collar, emphasizing the Rabbi's high status. The design of the Glima reflects the historical styles worn by the Hakham Bashi, the chief rabbis of Jewish communities in the Ottoman Empire.

Coronation of Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef as Chief Rabbi

The robe’s characteristic embroidery includes dense, stiff metallic threads, often gold or silver, that decorate the collar and front opening. While the embroidery is rooted in traditional Ottoman style, it also draws from the influence of late 18th-century European officials’ coats.

Variations in the Glima are made for special occasions; for example, a white robe is sometimes worn on Yom Kippur , while an all-black version without embroidery may be worn during periods of mourning.

Mitznefet

The "Mitznefet" is the traditional headdress worn by the Sephardic Chief Rabbi. Styled to resemble turban, the headdress typically consists of a round, padded cap made from velvet or silk, often in blue or black, adorned with a decorative white ribbon or band. This headgear is often of a round padded velvet cap, adorned with a decorative band or ribbon, is usually blue or black silk, styled to resemble a turban.

Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu

The Mitznefet reflects the customs of Jewish communities in the Ottoman Empire, where similar headdresses were worn by respected figures such as rabbis and judges.

Additional Adornments

The Sephardic Chief Rabbi may also wear symbolic adornments, such as a pendant of the Stone Tablets or Ten Commandments. This pendant was worn by Rabbi Shlomo Amar during a visit with King Felipe VI of Spain at the Palacio de la Zarzuela. Another similar pendant, gifted by the Turkish Jewish community to Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef and later worn by his son, Chief Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef, has been donned on ceremonial occasions, such as the visit of Pope Francis to Israel, as a counterpoint to the Pope's cross.

This unique wardrobe serves as both a cultural artifact and a symbol of the spiritual leadership that the Sephardic Chief Rabbi holds within the Jewish and broader Israeli communities.

References

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