Jewish people having curls is often related to the traditional practice of some Jewish men wearing sidelocks called "payot" (or peyot, payes). This practice comes from a biblical injunction in Leviticus 19:27, which prohibits "rounding the corners of your head," interpreted by rabbinical authorities as forbidding men from shaving or cutting the hair in the area in front of the ears, often resulting in long curled sidelocks. This tradition is particularly visible in Orthodox and Hasidic Jewish communities. However, it is important to note that not all Jewish people have natural curly hair, and the association between Jewish identity and curly hair can be influenced by cultural stereotypes and historical contexts. In some Jewish communities, there has been a complex history surrounding natural hair texture, including social pressures about appearance and assimilation, sometimes leading to straightening of naturally curly hair. To summarize:

• The visible curls in some Jewish men (side curls or payot) are religiously mandated sidelocks grown according to Jewish law to not cut the hair at the "corners" of the head (Leviticus 19:27).

• The natural curly hair often associated with Jewish people is a genetic trait common in some Jewish populations but not universal, and this trait has complex cultural and historical significance.

• The curls as sidelocks are distinct from natural hair texture and are a visible religious symbol, especially in Orthodox and Hasidic communities.

Thus, the curls seen in many Jewish men’s sidelocks are a religious practice, while natural curly hair in Jewish individuals is a genetic and cultural feature. Both have different origins and meanings.