Tallit
Tallit
Tallit is the garment with which the worshipper is wrapped while praying. The Tallit is also called praying shawl. The commandment originates from Numbers 15:38-39: Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of each border a cord of blue: So that, looking on these ornaments, you may keep in mind the orders of the Lord and do them; and not be guided by the desires of your hearts and eyes, through which you have been untrue to me. Originally these tassels were supposed to have some white and some sky-blue threads. Today as we have lost the tradition have to produce these sky-blue threads the Tassels are white.
In Sphardi communities every man wears a Tallit since his Bar Mitzvah whereas the custom in most Ashkenazi communities is that unmarried men do not wear the Tallit.
Before putting on the Tallit one has to say this blessing:
‘‘Blessed art Thou, O Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who hast hallowed us by Thy commandments, and hast commanded us to enwrap ourselves in the fringed garment.
The prayer shawl is worn for the morning prayer during the week, on Saturday morning, and on other holy days. Though the Tallit is not worn for afternoon and evening prayers there are three exceptions to this rule and a prayer shawl is worn at the evening services of Kol Nidre, Simchat Torah, and on special Friday evening services that include a Torah reading. To prevent the Tallit from falling off the shoulders a Tallit clip is often used. TO SEE ONE OF THE MANY ISRAELI TALLITS WE CARRY, PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK.
See an example
Choosing a Tallit
Choosing a Tallit
When choosing a Tallit we have to decide on three elements;
-Material of the Tallit
-Design of the Tallit
-Size of the Tallit
Material of the Tallit
The more classic Tallits are made of wool or a blend of materials with striping in different colors. The Tallits were hand woven and the design varied according to thickness of the thread used and the colors chosen for the stripes. Today many other materials like silk and synthetics are used by themselves or in combination with wool and almost exclusively machine woven. Of course the rules of Shatnez are observed when using blended materials for a Tallit.
Design of the Tallit
The classical design of a Tallit used to be stripes in many different combinations with a designs range from monochrome to multicolored strips for the daring man.
Today the design range is almost endless. You will find designs of Tallits that are painted, woven, embroidered, or applied onto the Tallit.
Color selection is also endless and though mostly a white or eggshell color is used for the background to find Tallits in red, blue, or even black is not uncommon.
The design itself is inspired from different aspect of life and tradition.
Some Tallit artist use scenes from the Bible when creating a Tallit: From the patriarchs to Noah‘s Arc and from the seven species to Judaic symbols as the Menorah, Star of David or the Shofar can be seen integrated into the design.
The Atara, neckband and the four corners where the Tzizit is are also elements that are decoratively treated and integrated into the overall design of the Tallit.
Size of the Tallit
The Tallit size is a personal preference. Most Tallit artist make their Tallits, prayer shawls, using material that measures 72‘‘ up to 80‘‘ in width when spanned across from arm to arm.
The length of the Tallit down the back, on the other hand, is where sizes vary. Size of a Tallit from18‘‘ to 24‘‘ will allow you to wear a prayer shawl as a scarf draping over the shoulders but if you like it going half way down your back then a width of 28‘‘ to 32‘‘ will be right for you. A Tallit, prayer shawl that measures 55 -70‘‘ will go down the length of one‘s body and allow lifting the prayer shawl on either arm over the shoulders.
