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Lately, I have noticed that many people who wear a tallis during davening will deliberately put on the black hat, which they wore on the way to shul, while still wearing their tallis near the end of the chazzan's recitation of mussaf. I have observed people going well out of their way to the coatroom just to get their hat for this when they easily could have gotten their hat as they were leaving shul.

Is there any explanation for this practice? Wouldn't it make more sense for them to put on their hats after taking off their tallis?

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Re "...after taking off their tallis": or after t'fila, for those who continue to wear the talis after t'fila. – msh210♦ Apr 21 '11 at 16:52
Tzvi, the custom is not just with black hats; it is also with Streimelech. Also, you observed those who do not know the custom, whatever its origins are. The custom is to put it on after the completion of the beracha of kedushah (HaKeil HaKadosh) except when there is Bircas Kohanim because the Tallis is placed over the head for BK. – Yahu Apr 21 '11 at 23:34
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Since when did the black hat become tashmish kedusha, such that it matter when you put it on or not put it on? – AviD Jun 16 '11 at 11:38
@AviD, when did the kipa, or for that matter, the talis? Hats are certainly mentioned in halacha. (No citation at the moment.) – msh210♦ Jun 27 '11 at 19:00
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@msh210: I did find another blog where one of the commenters mentions that it is a custom to put on a black hat after mussaf kedusha on shabbos. chaverai.blogspot.com/2007/01/fear-of-black-hat.html – Menachem Jun 29 '11 at 7:12
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It seems that Shulchan Oruch Orach Chayim 124 (4) describes the correct conduct during the chazzan's repetition of the Amidah, "they should be quiet and concentrate on the brochos said by the chazzan and answer omain ....." No mention is made there of changing head covering, still less of "going well out of their way to the coatroom just to get their hat".

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