The origin of the Tallit and its use

The Tallit – which translates into ‘Prayer Shawl’ – is an item held in especially high regard in Judaism. The wearing of a Tallit is an openly public declaration that a person has total devotion, love, and veneration for Judaism. Each temple maintains an ample supply of these prayer shawls just in case there is a person who needs to enter the sanctuary and they don’t have a personal Tallit.

By definition, a Tallit is shawl that is used during prayer. It is recognized as being the most veritable of Jewish garments. The traditional Tallit is customarily made from either linen or wool. Recent times have seen the introduction of a modern Tallit and this is commonly made from either silk or polyester. A Tallit is made in the shape of a rectangle. In both cases, the four corners of the modern Tallit or a traditional Tallit will be required to have Tzitzit. These are special fringes that are used to secure the Tallit. Most traditional and modern Tallit will have an Atarah. This is a neckband that in most cases has embroidered blessings that the person donning the Tallit will be required to recite.

It is absolutely necessary that any male who has been summoned to say the blessings prior to and after the reading of part of the Torah wears a Tallit. This is indeed true for any other type of honor that may be bestowed on such a man. On the other hand, women have the option of putting on a Tallit but they are under no obligation to do so. This practice will be evidenced during services. The choice to don either a traditional or modern Tallit wholly lies with the individual.

The main reason why the Tallit is worn has to do with heeding to the instructions that God issued to Moses as stipulated in the book of Numbers, chapter 15, from verses 37-41. On reading these verses you will realize that the chief purpose of the Tallit is holding the Tzitzit, which in turn are used to be a constant reminder of the commandments of God. The Tallit is supposed to be worn during morning prayers throughout the entire week. This also includes the Sabbath and all other holy days. It is forbidden to wear the Tallit any other time of the day as the commandments specifically instruct that one should always be capable of seeing the Tzitzit i.e. during daylight. It is only the Shaliach Tzibur – responsible for leading prayer - who wears a Tallit during the afternoon as well as the evening.

In the past, it was strictly forbidden for women to don the Tallit but with the advent of egalitarianism these restrictions were done away with and women can choose whether to wear the prayer shawl or not. Any woman who chooses to wear the Tallit is however required to cover her head as a sign of veneration for this highly significant item. The stipulations for men have never changed and wearing a Tallit is still mandatory. Such is the respect afforded to the Tallit that no person is allowed to wear one in a restroom let alone carry it into such a facility.

Modern Tallits are somewhat smaller than the traditional variety and they take the resemblance of shawls. These modern Tallits have modern designs as opposed to the conventional stripes. Some of the most common designs are derived from the Etz Chaim or Chagall’s windows.

To put on a Tallit, one places it over the shoulders similar to the manner in which a cape is donned. The ‘collar’ of the Tallit should lie where conventional collars lie and one should ensure that the Hebrew literature is on the outer side. Prior to donning the Tallit, some people will kiss it in veneration.