why do jewish men have curls

Jewish men, especially in Orthodox and Hasidic communities, have curls called "peyot" or sidelocks based on a biblical commandment. The tradition comes from Leviticus 19:27, which instructs Jewish men not to "round off the corners of their heads," interpreted rabbinically as prohibiting cutting the hair in front of and just below the temples, beside the ears. These sidelocks are often worn long and curled as a fulfillment of this mitzvah (commandment). The style and length of peyot vary among different Jewish groups, with some trimming them modestly while others leave them long and prominently curled as a distinct religious and cultural symbol. This practice distinguishes Jewish men in observant communities and serves as a religious signifier rooted in scripture and rabbinic interpretation.