Head Covering
Question
What is basis of the prescription that men and boys are to cover their heads with a kipa, yalmuka or hat. A friend of mine recently converted to Judaism. During the service in which he received his first aliyah, a 28 year old guest in the temple was asked to put on a kipa. The temple's information booklet states that men and boy are requested, not required to wear a kipa. When the 28 year old guest, who is Jewsih, stated that he was unwilling to put on a kipa, he asked by another congregant to leave the temple. This request was hurtful both the guest and to tmy friend and others attending the conversion service. Can the wearing of a kipa optional in any other the three main branches of Judaism? Was the congregant correct in asking the guest in question to leave? What if the guest was not not Jewish...would he also have been asked to leave? ie. when visiting a church service I not kneel, genuflect, cross myself, etc. What might the Talmud or other writings say about a guest in your home or temple? Finally, in all fairness, the guest could have chosen to avoid the issue by putitng on the kipa. However, as he chose not to, should he have been asked to leave. I am sure that there is not clear, objectiive answer. I would simply welcome our thoughts. Thank you in advance.