For many, the tallit often referred to as a prayer shawl,
is one of the iconic symbols of Judaism. The purpose of the
tallit, however is often misunderstood. The principal
purpose or function of the tallit is to serve as the the
four corners from which to hang the the fringes in
compliance with the Torah's prescription in the book of
Numbers 15:37-40.
The rise of the Bar Mitzvah and of Bat Mitzvah's in the
20th century have added to the tallit's designation as a
Jewish garment of great significance. In certain
communities, it is used by men after marriage only.
In Kabbalistic circles, the tallit is a special garment for
the service of God, intended, in connection with tefillin,
to inspire awe and reverence for God at prayer.
The importance of these symbols in Kabbalistic circles can
be seen by the song sung on Shabbat known as the the Song
of Glory which ascribes God the wearing of Tefillin which
in turn connotes God's own dedication to prayer and hence
the tallit. In traditional circles, the tallit is worn by
all Jewish males at the morning prayer on weekdays,
Sabbaths, and holidays.
The tallit is also worn by the cantor at every prayer while
before the Ark; and by the reader of the scroll of the Law
when on the platform known as the Bimah. With the rise of
the various Progressive Jewish movements (e.g. Jewish
Renewal, Reconstructionist, Conservative, etc.), the use of
the tallit among women has been adopted. The tallit is
often spread over as a canopy wedding ceremonies.
The ṭallit, which can be spread out like a sheet, is
most often woven of wool or silk. Traditionally colors such
as white, with black or blue stripes at the ends was and
remains common. Woolen tallits remain preferable for most
traditional and Orthodox circles.
The most important part of the Tallit is the Tzitzit
(fringes) which according to Bet Shammai (House of Shammai)
consisted of four threads of white wool and four threads of
blue, but according to Bet Hillel (House of Shammai) of two
threads of each. The tallit katan (small tallit) is worn
today among more traditional Jewish men as an undergarment.
The reason a blue cord was entwined in the fringes is
addressed by R. Meïr who asked, "Why blue?" The
answer was, "Because this color resembles the sea, the sea
resembles the sky, and the sky resembles the "Chair of
Glory," of which it is said, "Under His feet . . . a
sapphire stone."
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Jacob Lumbroso writes articles on history, foreign
cultures, and Judaism for http://www.judaicaquest.com/
