A kittel is the white linen or cotton robe worn by Jewish men on some of the most significant occasions in life, including Yom Kippur, the Pesach Seder, a chassan's wedding, and as a tachrichim burial garment. At Eichlers, we carry a full selection of kittels in cotton and linen styles, with a range of collar designs and sizes to suit every occasion and community minhag.
A kittel is worn on several of the most solemn and sacred occasions in the Jewish calendar and lifecycle. Understanding when and why it is worn helps in choosing the right style and fit for each occasion.
The kittel is worn by men during Yom Kippur davening, symbolizing purity, humility, and the aspiration for a clean slate before Hashem. It's also associated with the white robes worn by the malachim, the angels, reinforcing the spiritual elevation of the day. In most Ashkenazi and Chassidish communities, wearing a kittel on Yom Kippur is considered a firmly established minhag.
The ba'al ha'seder, the one leading the Seder, wears a kittel as a symbol of freedom, royalty, and purity. Just as a king reclines at his table, the head of the household leads the Seder dressed in white. The minhag of wearing a kittel at the Seder is widespread across Ashkenazi communities and is observed in many Sephardic families as well.
In many Ashkenazi communities, a chassan wears a kittel under the chuppah during his wedding ceremony. The kittel worn on this day often becomes the same garment the chassan will wear on Yom Kippur and at the Pesach Seder for the rest of his life, making the wedding kittel a particularly meaningful purchase. Some families present the kittel as a gift from the kallah's side before the wedding.
Some communities, particularly Chassidish, have the minhag of wearing a kittel on Shemini Atzeres and on Hoshana Raba, the night considered the final sealing of the Yom Kippur judgment. In these communities, the kittel is seen as a garment that connects the wearer to the ongoing spiritual significance of the Yom Tov season.
A kittel is traditionally included as part of the tachrichim, the set of white burial garments prepared according to Jewish law. The same simplicity and purity that the kittel represents in life carries through to its role in death, a reminder that all people stand equal before Hashem. Many men are buried in the kittel they wore throughout their lives.
Kittels are made primarily from cotton or linen. Both are white, both are widely available, and both are fully accepted for all occasions where a kittel is worn. The material choice is largely a matter of minhag, personal comfort, and halachic consideration.
Linen kittels carry an additional halachic consideration related to shatnez. Shatnez is the Torah prohibition against wearing a garment that contains both wool and linen together. Since tzitzis strings are wool, a man wearing a linen kittel over a tallis on Yom Kippur or at the Seder needs to ensure the tallis strings do not come into contact with the linen in a way that creates a shatnez issue. For this reason, many poskim advise wearing a cotton kittel when wearing a tallis simultaneously. Consult your Rov if you're unsure.
Cotton kittels are the more straightforward choice for most men precisely because they avoid this shatnez concern entirely. They're soft, comfortable for all-day wear on Yom Kippur, easy to launder, and widely available in a range of sizes and collar styles. Most Ashkenazi and Chassidish men in the United States wear cotton kittels for this reason.
Kittels come in several collar and cut variations depending on community minhag and personal preference. The most common styles are round collar, pointed collar, and Mandarin collar designs. The body of the kittel is always white and typically falls to mid-calf or below, with a belt or tie at the waist.
Round collar kittels are the most widely worn style across Ashkenazi communities. Pointed collar designs are popular in certain Chassidish circles. The fit should be generous enough to wear comfortably over a suit jacket or Shabbos clothing, since the kittel is worn on top of regular dress clothing on Yom Kippur and at the Seder.
Sizing is one of the most important decisions when buying a kittel. The garment is worn over a full suit or dress clothing, so it needs to be roomier than a standard shirt or jacket. A kittel that fits like a regular shirt will be too tight once layered over a jacket, especially across the shoulders and chest.
As a general rule, size up by at least one size from your regular jacket size. If you wear a size 42 jacket, start with a size 44 or 46 kittel. Kittels run in even sizes and are typically labeled by chest measurement. Length also matters: the kittel should fall comfortably to mid-calf or below to look dignified during davening or at the Seder table. Taller men should check the listed length before ordering.
A kittel worn on Yom Kippur, at the Seder, and at other sacred occasions can last a lifetime with proper care. Cotton kittels can generally be machine-washed on a gentle cold cycle and hung to dry to prevent shrinking. Avoid high heat in the dryer, which can cause cotton to shrink and the fabric to stiffen.
Store your kittel folded or hanging in a garment bag between uses. Since kittels are typically only worn a few times a year, proper storage keeps the fabric clean, white, and free from yellowing over time. If the kittel has embroidered trim or decorative stitching, hand-washing or a delicate machine cycle is the safer choice.
A kittel is a deeply meaningful gift for a chassan before his wedding. In communities where the chassan wears a kittel under the chuppah, this is a garment he will use for the rest of his life. It's practical, personal, and carries significant spiritual meaning. A kittel presented as a pre-wedding gift is something a chassan will remember and use for decades.
Browse our full wedding gifts and Judaica collection for more meaningful gifts for a chassan and kallah. For bar mitzvah occasions, our bar mitzvah gifts collection has practical and lasting options as well.
A kittel is one part of a complete Jewish wardrobe for meaningful occasions. Eichlers carries everything you need alongside it.
A kittel is worn by Jewish men on Yom Kippur, at the Pesach Seder, under the chuppah at a chassan's wedding, and in some communities on Hoshana Raba and Shemini Atzeres. It is also traditionally included in the tachrichim burial garments.
Most Ashkenazi and Chassidish men in the United States wear cotton kittels. Cotton avoids the shatnez concern that arises when wearing a linen kittel together with a wool tallis. Ask your Rov if you're unsure which material is right for your minhag.
Size up by at least one size from your regular jacket size. A kittel is worn over a full suit or dress clothing, so it needs to be roomier than a standard shirt. Check the listed chest measurement and length before ordering, especially if you're taller than average.
The more common minhag is to wear the tallis over the kittel, not under it. However, customs vary by community. Ask your Rov about the correct order of garments for your specific minhag, particularly on Yom Kippur.
Yes. A kittel is one of the most meaningful pre-wedding gifts in Ashkenazi tradition. In communities where the chassan wears a kittel under the chuppah, this is a garment he'll use for Yom Kippur and the Pesach Seder for the rest of his life.
Cotton kittels can be machine-washed on a gentle cold cycle and hung to dry. Avoid high heat to prevent shrinking and stiffening. Store it folded or in a garment bag between uses to keep it white and in good condition over many years of use.
There is no fixed age for when a boy starts wearing a kittel. In most communities, men begin wearing one at their wedding or once they are married. Some single men adopt the minhag earlier, particularly for Yom Kippur. Ask your Rov based on your community's custom.