"Tatort: ​​Rapunzel": Why do Orthodox Jewish women wear a "parting"?

In the new Swiss crime drama "Tatort: ​​Rapunzel" (June 15, 8:15 p.m., Das Erste), the term "Scheitel" (seat parting) appears at some point. What initially sounds commonplace has a special meaning in this context: A sheitel refers to a kosher wig made of real hair worn by married Orthodox Jewish women.

The "Jüdische Allgemeine" describes a change that has taken place since the 18th century: Until the end of the 17th century, married Jewish women primarily covered their hair with scarves. When wigs became fashionable in France, they also conquered the Jewish communities. According to the "Jewish Museum Berlin," Orthodox women today cover their hair with a parting, scarf, beret (a beret), or hairnet.

A not entirely uncontroversial tradition

The "Jüdische Allgemeine" newspaper reports on centuries-old rabbinical discussions on the topic of parting. While some scholars advocated wearing wigs, others expressed reservations, fearing that artificial hair would be almost indistinguishable from real hair and thus defeat the purpose.

The covering of the head is also controversial because it can be interpreted not only as a voluntary expression of religious identity and connection to Jewish culture, but, depending on the perspective, also as a restriction of female autonomy and freedom, even to the point of oppression. Because "head coverings are always about the gaze of men," who should not be "irritated" by the hair, as "Deutschlandfunk Kultur" summarizes in a report on "head coverings of religious women" – Orthodox Jewish and Muslim women.

Art made from human hair

"Tatort: ​​Rapunzel" also deals with art made from human hair, also called death pictures or hair pictures. The Nidwaldner Museum on Lake Lucerne explains about a hair picture exhibition that shows box pictures with elements made from human hair: Hair pictures were part of everyday life in the 19th and 20th centuries and "the most important symbols of sepulchral culture." The latter term refers to the culture of death, dying, burial, and mourning.

The exhibition further states that hair paintings are "a European cultural heritage embracing craftsmanship, magic, and memory." Skilled craftspeople such as hair braiders, nuns, and monks crafted hair ornaments and hair paintings.

According to National Geographic, the practice of making mementos from the hair of the deceased dates back to the Victorian era, which developed a distinct culture of remembrance under Queen Victoria (1819-1901). After the death of her beloved husband, Prince Albert (1819-1861), she appeared in public exclusively in black widow's dress until her death 40 years later.

After the Victorian era, the tradition of hairdressing slowly fell out of fashion. According to the magazine, one reason could be the rise of funeral homes. This "removed the dead from the domestic sphere in most parts of Northern Europe and the USA." Other possible reasons include new fashion and interior design styles, as well as new theories of hygiene.

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