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I think this same explanation can be conveyed with less annoyance, IMO. –  Seth J Sep 5 '12 at 15:00


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Jews in North Africa saw themselves as French and spoke French.

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In today's society, Sephardic Jews do not necessarily dress in a particular style of clothing, rather they will wear attire in accordance to any orthodox dress code. My experience in attending Nefesh Bondi (integrated both Sephardic and Ashkenazi) & Sephardic synagogue was unusual to standardised Sephardic clothing. The Chazzan wore a black suit and Hat, even the rabbi in the Sephardic synagogue also wore black. My guess with wearing white suits probably represents purity and holiness such as on Yom Kippur. Since Yom Kippur is a one time event, (even Ashkenazi Jews) would not turn away wearing white. It all comes down to Halakhah [Jewish law] I was told by my (Chabad) rabbi's wife in-laws that if "The rabbi's make a decision on anything - than it becomes the law". The general idea is that if it is allowed, then why not. Throughout history Jews in different countries have developed there own style and customs being influenced whether by persecution or integration. My Sephardi rabbi, wears piyot because he thinks there cool, not necessarily a Sephardi custom.

I once asked a Chabad rabbi why Jews in Chabad circles do not wear piyot, he said to me; As long as you have hair past the bone on the side of your head, piyot is a custom for some other orthodox groups. I hope all Jews will agree with me when I say: Places highly concentrated and thick with any particular community of Jews will follow the majority, however Australia is mixed with diversity and the real standard is having an affluent lifestyle. Personally I am remote from the community and could not afford the lavish lifestyle of some orthodox groups.

I follow Sephardi customs and white is the standard style of dress, Black keeps Sephardi Jews neutral with Orthodoxy. In general black can be worn everywhere, most people do not wear white throughout the week since it is easily dirtied. Shabbat is a special occasion so the fusion with white and black emphasises purpose being that Yom Kippur can therefore be set aside as separate [Shabbat of Shabbat's].

Yoel Cohen

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I'm confused.... –  Shmuel Brin Nov 10 '13 at 19:25

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