Unique Prayer Shawls
Although tradition has always implied that a prayer shawl or tallit must have blue or black stripes woven, sewn, or painted on it, there is no bibilical law which states this. As a result, there is a growing market for unique prayer shawls filled with beautiful, colorful designs.
One of the more popular materials used in making unique prayer shawls is silk. Advantages to using silk for making prayer shawls over other materials, is the dexterity with the amount of detail. Silk shawls also portray colors vividly, which gives them a unique appeal.
Sometimes, a combination of silk and cotton is used to make a prayer shawl. In such cases, the tallit or prayer shawl is made from woven cotton onto which silk that has been painted by hand is sewn. Using a similar method, but completely with silk is the raw silk applique’d prayer shawl.
Other combinations of materials used to make prayer shawls include embroidered silk on cotton, woven raw silk, and wool. It should be noted that it is forbidden for a prayer shawl to be made from a combination of linen and wool.
Unique prayer shawls nearly always come with a matching prayer shawl bag in the same design and colors. Not only a way to carry the prayer shawl, a bag to protect it is a sign of respect and a way to show that respect.
There are several artists that specialize in creating unique prayer shawls. Designs by Yair Emanuel, Akiva Lamy, and Ronit Gur, very well-known artists from Israel, are particularly in demand. Images featuring on the prayer shawls include the Tree of Life, pomegranates, the Star of David, and of course, the town of Jerusalem.
Despite prayer shawls being worn traditionally by men only, in more recent times, women have come to wear them too. As a result, many of the unique prayer shawls seen and available worldwide today are made with women in mind. They are referred to as talitisha (woman’s prayer shawl).
Materials used for such prayer shawls include organza, embroidered soft cotton, and viscose.
Often, the blessing of the prayer shawl is embroidered into the atarah or neckband of the shawl. This can be in any color, though in specialty shawls, gold or silver thread is quite popular. It is partly for decoration, and partly as a guide from which to read when taking part in the morning prayer service.
