Wearing a kippah is not a religious commandment, it is a 'minhag'. A minhag is a tradition that has the same imperative as religious law in Judaism. The meaning behind this Jewish tradition is a physical recognition that HaShem (The Creator) is always above us.

In Judaism, there is halacha (law) and minhag (tradition). When a tradition becomes classified as a 'minhag', it has almost the same status as a law. In order for a religiously observant Jew to live as a religiously observant Jew, they must know not only the halachot (pl) but also the minhagim (pl).

Outside of the issue of minhag, Judaism is a religion based on action. The traditions of Judaism are a key element of living life as a Jew.

Mazor. has written:

'Mazor le-Rosh ha-Shanah e-Yom ha-Kipurim, ke-minhag Reisin e-Lia, Polin pihem u-maaharin'

There is no prohibition against eating meat in Judaism other than the requirements set out in the dietary laws called 'kashrut'. In fact, there is a minhag (tradition) of specifically eating meat during Shabbat (the Sabbath).

It is a Minhag (Tradition) that the woman of the house lights the Shabbat candles. (The reason for this is mentioned in the Talmud, that says that this is a Tikun (a correction, an amendment) to the "original sin" of Hava (Eve))

According to many Poskim (Rabbis) this act is a declaration of Kabbalat Shabbat (Welcoming the Shabbat) and thus the woman is usually the first to start the shabbat.