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To veil (cover) or not to veil. That is the question, or is it? I don’t think so, or at least, it’s not the only question. While whether or not covering is required is important, an equally important and often ignored question is who is supposed to cover. The section of the Bible that talks about head coverings is 1 Corinthians 11:1-16:

1 try to imitate me, even as I myself try to imitate the Messiah.

2 Now I praise you because you have remembered everything I told you and observe the traditions just the way I passed them on to you. 3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is the Messiah, and the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of the Messiah is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies wearing something down over his head brings shame to his head, 5 but every woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled brings shame to her head – there is no difference between her and a woman who has had her head shaved. 6 For if a woman is not veiled, let her also have her hair cut short; but if it is shameful for a woman to wear her hair cut short or to have her head shaved, then let her be veiled. 7 For a man indeed should not have his head veiled, because he is the image and glory of God, and the woman is the glory of man. 8 For man was not made from woman, but woman from man; 9 and indeed man was not created for the sake of the woman but woman for the sake of the man. 10 The reason a woman should show by veiling her head that she is under authority has to do with the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in union with the Lord neither is woman independent of man nor is man independent of woman; 12 for as the woman was made from the man, so also the man is now born through the woman. But everything is from God. 13 Decide for yourselves: is it appropriate for a woman to pray to God when she is unveiled? 14 Doesn’t the nature of things itself teach you that a man who wears his hair long degrades himself? 15 But a woman who wears her hair long enhances her appearance, because her hair has been given to her as a covering. 16 However, if anyone wants to argue about it, the fact remains that we have no such custom, nor do the Messianic communities of God.

I think that this passage refers to a separate head covering/veil that is not the hair. Substituting long hair in verse 6 is one reason why I don’t see it being the hair. The verse would then read “For if a woman does not have long hair, let her also have her hair cut short…” If the woman already has short hair, it doesn’t make sense to cut it short since it’s already short.

Other reasons include the fact that when taking a Nazarene (?) vow, a man would be required not to cut his hair, and therefore have long hair. Again, if long hair was the covering and men were to be uncovered, this wouldn’t make much sense. And finally, one does not have to be a believer to have long hair (it is given by nature), and not all believing women are able to have long hair. (Plus, there is also the debate of what is considered long hair.)

Another thing to note is that verse 16 probably only refers to verse 15, not everything previous to it. If it really was about everything previous to it, why would it have been included in the letter at all? So, (not just because of this), I would have to conclude that the passage is speaking about a separate head covering/veil to be worn over the hair.

The bigger question, for me is exactly who this verse is referring to. It’s pretty apparent that it is talking about, at least, married women (verse 3). So, married women are to cover. The CJB switches from using wife to woman after verse 3, while other translations use woman throughout. I would think, reading the book it is talking to married women, but I’m not really sure about that.

Regardless, there isn’t anything wrong (so far as I can tell) with being an unmarried woman and wearing a head covering, even if it isn’t required. So, if you’re looking for head coverings, or just want to try some, Miss Rachel at A City On a Hill is having a Cover Your Hair giveaway. Cover Your Hair has a wide variety of head coverings, including tichels, wide headbands, snoods, hats, and headbands with tails. You can visit coveryourhair.com to see their selection. There’s really something there for everyone.

Anyway, your thoughts on head coverings? Who is required to wear them?

If you’re wondering why I haven’t posted in awhile, it’s because I’ve been busy and haven’t really had anything to post about. That’s not what this post is about though.

Last month, Feelin’ Feminine has been putting out a monthly e-magazine/newsletter called Challenging Femininity. I’ve really enjoyed reading it the past couple of months. Some articles of note from the past two months include:

• Featured Femina: Miss Paulina – I really like this interview, particularly because I can relate to the struggles the young lady interviewed, Miss Paulina, and it let me know I’m not alone in my struggles.
• The Hair! Hair! Hair!: The Twist & Ponytail Wrap – How-to’s for different hairstyles – that would actually work in my hair… Needless to say, I really like this column.
• From the Mailbox: Hair Donations? – Miss Jocelyn pretty much sums up my views on hair donation: If your hair will still be long after the cut, and you want to donate your hair, go ahead and cut it!
• In Proper Perspective: Fathers and Daughters – How important is the father-daughter relationship? This article explains that it should be no more important than the mother-daughter one and should not have so much stress placed on it. I don’t agree with everything in the article (particularly the part about children departing from the path always being the parents fault), but on this I do agree.
• What is Feminine? Culottes? – I personally think they are ugly, but did you know they are actually undergarments? Interesting article.
• Outside Looking In: Walking Alone – Miss Paulina shares some of the struggles of living with parents who do not agree with your beliefs and gives some advice for coping.
• The Beauty of Coconut – Miss Rachel shares some of the ways virgin coconut oil is used by her and her family members. Feelin’ Feminine is also giving away a jar of VCO.
• To Edify… Or Not: April Showers – It’s Seasonal – This article talks about seasons in life and throughout the year. Feelin’ Feminine is giving away a black and white portrait from The Tinker’s Pencil at the bottom of this post.

There’s a large variety of information in these e-magazines. I really suggest you check them out!