The tallit is one of the most notable and recognizable symbols of the Jewish faith. Generally made of wool, cotton, linen, or silk, the Jewish tallit is a prayer shawl that contains knotted and twined fringes, which are commonly referred to as tzitzit. It is typically worn during prayers and is meant to serve as a reminder of the importance of leading a mitzvah-centered life.
The History and Significance of the Jewish Tallit
Wearing the tallit during prayers is a practice that can be traced back to the Biblical times. The Torah says that God commanded Moses to speak to the children of Israel and tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments (Numbers 15:38).
The practice of wearing a rectangular shaped shawl or cloak can be found in several cultures. The most common examples include the abbayah worn by the Bedouin and the pallium worn by the Romans. What makes the Jewish tallit unique is that it is not worn as an accessory or as a protection against the weather. Instead, it has spiritual significance and plays an important role in the Jewish prayer.
According to the Kabbalah, the tallit signifies the divine light that emanates from the Lord and permeates into every one of His creations. Also, every time a Jewish person wears a tallit, they are reminded of the fact that they are required to follow and live by the commandments of God – as commanded by the Lord in the Torah (Numbers 15:39).
Choose Your Jewish Tallit with Care
The importance of the tallit in the Jewish faith can be gauged from the fact that when the Jews were deprived of their possessions and expelled from Sicily in 1493, they requested the authorities allow them to take their tallits with them. Their request was denied, but it goes to show that Jewish people consider the tallit to be a sacred and inseparable part of their faith.
This is one of the reasons why you should be careful about where you buy your Jewish tallit from. A low-quality, machine-made tallit might not only look cheap, but is also not worthy of being considered a sacred item. With that said, you should make sure the tallit you buy is made by people of faith who understand its importance and sacredness.
When and How to Wear the Jewish Tallit
The tallit is typically worn during prayers – at home or in the synagogue. Scholars say that even if you are far away from home and feel the need to pray, you can wrap yourself up in a tallit and pray. It is for this reason that the tallit is called a portable spiritual home.
The most common way of wearing a tallit is to drape it over your shoulders. Some people, however, also prefer to cover their heads with it. Many religious Jews prefer to wear a smaller, more comfortable version of the tallit – commonly known as the tallit kattan – under their clothes all the time. However, many others prefer the full-sized shawl version and use it exclusively for prayers.
Dependable Quality Jewish Tallits from Holy Land Market
At Holy Land Market, we offer a range of handmade tallits at affordable prices. Our tallits are made by God-fearing Christian families from the Holy Land and are of exceptionally high quality. They can be the perfect accompaniment for your prayers. To place an order for a Jewish tallit or to find out more about our product range, visit our website. You can also contact us directly by calling at 1-612-454-7916 or contact us online by filling out this form.
