Hair Covering Before Marriage?

Question

Are there any communities in America or Israel where women cover their hair before marriage? Do Satmar women cover their hair before marriage?

Answer 1

It is not true that there aren't communities where this is done, rather most people are just ignorant to the fact that there are. These communities are not only found in Israel but other places as well. What happens is that often times, they keep to themselves, and people assume that the young single girls are married when they see them in public so they just don't know. The married women wear a double head covering just like men in many fervently orthodox communities do. This is the radid, the traditional Jewish (think Biblical) veil. This is still done in Yemen and in recently founded Yemenite diasporic communities including in NYC and in its suburbs. Since people tend to get tunnel vision, they don't notice that these girls don't have wedding rings on.

Answer 2

It is interesting to note that the Rambam holds (Hilchot Issurei Biah 21:17) that single girls must cover their hair just like married women.

Answer 3

In Israel there is a recent Cult that does in the United States currently there is no such thing. For some info on the Cult read Here:

http://www.amotherinisrael.com/facecovering-families-beit-shemesh-destructive-cult/

http://www.amotherinisrael.com/jewish-facecovering-women-request-school/

Answer 4

Sefardic women have a custom of covering when praying. See Yabia Omer,Yalkut Yosef or Halacha Berurah 2:19, where he says to be strict and cover when mentioning God's name, learning the Bible, saying blessings, bircat hamazon, or praying. In any case he brings that widespread practice is that single girls don't cover her hair.