Bekishe

Two Hasidic Rebbes wearing tish bekishes with high "samet hit [he]"s (felt hats). Khuster Rebbe Shmelke Leifer (of USA; Left) and Pittsburgher Rebbe Mordechai Yissachar Ber Leifer (of Ashdod; with strohkes).

A bekishe, bekeshe, or beketche (Yiddish: בעקעטשע or בעקישע), is a type of frock coat, usually made of black silk or polyester, worn by Hasidic Jews, and by some non-Hasidic Haredi Jews.[1] The bekishe is worn mainly on Shabbos and Jewish holidays, or at weddings and other such events. During the week, it is customary to wear a rekel, made of wool or polyester, looking like a regular double-breasted suit, only longer. Hassidic rabbis who wear a bekishe during the week will wear a more ornate version for Shabbos, often lined with velvet or some color other than or in addition to black.

The New York Times described the Bekeshe as a "fancier Sabbath version" of the Rekel.[2]

  1. ^ Jainchill, Johanna (October 16, 2005). "Two Brothers, Two Paths, One Photo Album". The New York Times.
  2. ^ Joseph Berger (July 28, 2010). "Dressing With Faith, Not Heat, in Mind: Hasidic Jews in Heavy Dress Bear Up in Summer". The New York Times. Retrieved November 6, 2022.