Draft:Sephardic Chief Rabbi official dress

The Sephardic Chief Rabbi’s official dress is worn by the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, the Rishon LeZion, and reflects centuries of Jewish religious, cultural, and historical traditions, particularly those of Sephardic Jews who trace their ancestry to Spain, North Africa, and the Middle East. The attire worn by the Chief Rabbi consists of two parts: a robe known as "Glima" and a Turban known as "Mitznefet". The wardrobe is designed to honor both the sacred duties of the position and the long-standing customs of Sephardic Jewish communities.

Glima

The long, flowing robe known as a "Glima" is an essential component of the Chief Rabbi's wardrobe. This robe, often in dark colors like black, and symbolizes dignity and reverence. Made of fine fabrics such as silk or wool, the Glima is traditionally worn over other layers of clothing and often features intricate embroidery of silver or gold accents along the cuffs and collar, emphasizing the Rabbi's esteemed position. The Glima worn by Israel's Sephardic Chief Rabbi's dates back to the Ottoman Empire in the style of the Hakham Bashi.

Crafted from black broadcloth with wide sleeves and a narrow collar, the robe's defining feature is its dense, stiff embroidery of metal (silver or gold) thread that decorates the collar and front opening. While the embroidery reflects traditional Ottoman design, it also reveals the influence of late 18th-century European officials' coats.

A white Glima is worn for Yom Kippur by some of the Sephardic Chief Rabbis. An all black robe without the featured silver or gold embroidery is often worn by the Rishon LeZion during times of mourning.

Mitznefet

The head covering traditionally worn by the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel is a turban known as a "mitznefet". This headgear is often of a round padded velvet cap, adorned with a decorative band or ribbon, is usually blue or black silk, styled to resemble a turban. The mitznefet signifies the Rabbi's high religious authority. Its use is a nod to the customs of Jewish communities in the Ottoman Empire, where such head coverings were typical for respected figures, including rabbis and judges. The mitznefet is also a nod to the Kohen Gadol/High Priest who wore a special type of priestly turban.

Additional adornments

Pendant of the Stone Tablets/Ten Commandments. In his visit with King Felipe VI, Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar wore this pendant while visiting at the Palacio de la Zarzuela of Spain. A similar golden pendant was gifted to Sephardic Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef by the Turkish Jewish community and given to his son Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef. Yitzchak Yosef wore this adornment upon the visit of Pope Francis to Israel as a counterpoint to the Pope's large cross."