The Jewish napkin fold custom is all about a message between master and servant. However, this custom also has significant meaning around the death and resurrection of Christ.  

However, there has long been a level of controversy surrounding this, with some claiming that there is no link between the two. To understand more we need to first delve into the meaning behind the original custom. 

What is the Jewish Napkin Fold Custom and It’s Easter Significance

• What is the Jewish napkin fold custom between master and servant?
• The Jewish napkin fold custom and its relevance in the resurrection
• Biblical controversy?

What is the Jewish napkin fold custom between master and servant?

One of the common customs in place during previous centuries was a silent message communicated at the dinner table. Quite simply, when a servant prepared the table for his master, he would then stand out of sight and observe the process of the meal. It was accepted practice that they would not return until the diner had left the table.

As a signal that the meal was finished, the master would use the napkin to wipe his hands, face, mouth, and beard. He would then scrunch it up and leave the table. This was a signal that said, “I have finished”. 

However, if the intent was to return to the table, then the napkin was left in a different manner. It would be creased into folds and left by the dishes. This left a very clear message that said:

“I am returning”.

The Jewish napkin fold custom and its relevance in the resurrection

When we look at the gospel of St John and its account of the resurrection, this becomes very significant. On entering the tomb and seeing the body of Jesus had gone, the burial cloth that covered his head was not scrunched up with the rest of the cloths and shroud.

Instead, it had been folded up and placed in a separate location. This was taken to mean, in a similar manner to the napkin fold custom, that:

“I am returning”.

Biblical controversy

While this is the most commonly held belief about the link between The Resurrection and the Jewish napkin fold custom, it is surrounded by some controversy.

This surrounds the translation of the bible into other languages. There’s some disagreement as to whether the original scripture actually translated to the word “folded”. It’s argued by many that the word was, in fact, “entwined”, “twisted”, or even “rolled”—something that could be considered very different from being folded. Indeed, some even say that napkins weren’t in common use at the dinner table at the time of Jesus, thus the relevance of a folded face cloth set apart in the tomb isn’t a valid argument.

Of course, as with every hypothesis, until something is proven inaccurate beyond all reasonable doubt, then the belief is considered valid. Thus is the case with the relationship between the Jewish napkin fold tradition and the set aside facial shroud found in the tomb of Jesus. There’s certainly no denying the truth about the master and servant symbolism of the folded napkin. The fact that St John saw fit to detail the evidence in minute detail also heavily leans towards the symbolism. 

Religion, as ever, provides much cause for contemplation. Whether or not the link between the resurrection and the folded table napkin is true or not will always remain a focus for discussion. However, it’s entrenched in Jewish tradition and will, no doubt, remain so for a long time to come.

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