Sun Hat on Shabbat
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Question
Is there a prohibition on wearing a sun hat on Shabbat [intended for shade]?
Answer
Hello Rabbi,
If the width is less than a tefach, it is permitted. One can be lenient up to a measurement of 9.6 cm.
And one should not protest against those who are lenient in this, even if it is more than that.
Source
Mishna Berura, Siman 301, Section 152
Because of the tent. Although there is no tent without walls, it is still considered a temporary tent and is rabbinically prohibited since the brim is made for shade to protect from the sun. And a hat called "britlich" in Yiddish, even though it extends from the head to a width of a tefach, it is customary to be lenient. The later authorities have given several reasons for their leniency: one is that since it is not stiff and bends downwards, there is no concern of prohibition, and this is when there is no stiff paper in it. Even if it is stiff, the intention of wearing it is not for shade but to cover the head. Also, if the brim is made at an angle, it can be argued that it is not called a tent in this manner. In Aruch HaShulchan, it is written that the reason people are lenient is that they rely on the opinion of Rashi and his followers, who hold that there is no prohibition of a tent in a hat at all. According to this, even in a capelush, which is stiff and the width of the brim is a tefach, one should not protest where it is customary to be lenient, even though it is presumably made for shade. In places where it is not customary to be lenient, certainly, one should be stringent, as the Shulchan Aruch holds [based on the opinion of R"H, Rambam, Aruch, R"T, and Rambam], not to wear such a wide-brimmed capelush on Shabbat. Also, in the writings of the Arizal, a capelush is prohibited. Some refrain from placing the mitzvah tallit on the "britlich" on Shabbat so that the tallit is not like walls on both sides. In Mishna Berura, there is doubt about the reason for their custom, and in the book "Machatzit HaShekel," their custom is explained. From this, the custom has spread today not to cover their heads with a tallit on Shabbat during prayer, even on a small hat, and this has no sense or reason. Regarding the prohibition of carrying a parasol on Shabbat, which is made for shade over a person to protect from the sun and rain, we have written about this in Siman 315 all the details of this law.