sargenes

religious garment

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 23, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "sargenes" refers to a white robe worn by rabbis and other worshippers during the Jewish observance of Yom Kippur. This garment, also known as a kittel, symbolizes repentance and festivity. It is made of unadorned white linen, similar to grave clothes, emphasizing the atoning aspect of the holiday. While rabbis may wear it, other worshippers also don the kittel for Yom Kippur. The kittel is also worn by the host at the Passover seder and by the cantor on other occasions.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

religious dress
Later religious dress
…a kittel (also called a sargenes). This white garment, however, is worn not only by rabbis but also by other worshippers. The kittel emphasizes that Yom Kippur is an occasion not only of repentance but also of grace, for which festal wear is appropriate. Emphasis on the atoning aspect of…
Read More
…a kittel (also called a sargenes). This white garment, however, is worn not only by rabbis but also by other worshippers. The kittel emphasizes that Yom Kippur is an occasion not only of repentance but also of grace, for which festal wear is appropriate. Emphasis on the atoning aspect of…
Read More