The Traditional Jewish Prayer Shawl – Tallit

The tallit katan (Yiddish/Ashkenazic Hebrew tallis koton; “small tallit”) is a fringed garment traditionally worn either under or over one’s clothing by Jewish males. It is a poncho-like garment with a hole for the head and special twined and knotted fringes known as tzitzit attached to its four corners.

The Traditional Jewish Prayer Shawl knows as the tallit is a religious garment that can enhance your prayer life and focus your prayer time. The tallit’s purpose is to envelop the wearer in prayer both spiritually and physically. When wrapped in the prayer shawl you feel the name of God, the house of God, the prophecy of Israel and His miracles all flooding over you.

The tallit is still worn during morning prayers (along with tefillin, which Jewish men wear on weekdays from the age of 13). The tallit is worn all day on Yom Kippur, and in many communities, the chazzan (prayer leader) wears the tallit during other services as well.

Traditionally, every Jewish man from his Bar Mitzvah at the age of thirteen wears a tallit during prayer. More and more the prayer shawl has become popular amongst Believers. Both men and women take pleasure in wearing the tallit during personal pray and congregational prayer. Believers find encouragement in wearing the tallit prayer shawl as a Jewish man, Yeshua wore his piously.

If heart and motives are pure, one can reap the spiritual benefits from wearing the tallit. The prayer shawl provides a very special private place for prayer. It can separate the wearer from the distractions of their environment and focus entirely on the Word of G-d. Using a prayer shawl can also strengthen someone’s commitment to regular prayer. Cloaked in the prayer shawl we reflect on G-d’s commandments, protection, and constant love.