Colour my tallit
Tallitot are made using many different colors. There is no specific colour combination that is viewed as kosher – it is not the colour but the construction of a tallit and the tzitzit that makes it kosher.
Traditionally tallitot have been made using stripes of white and blue or black, however this is no longer the limitation at all today, where luxurious shades are often seen in a variety of tallit designs. Predominantly tallitot are white, a color deemed as being a sign of purity. The most traditional of all color schemes incorporates blue and white. These colors are featured on the Israeli flag and possess special meaning in this regard. Silver and gold are also often featured for a more luxurious effect.
Also known as prayer shawls, tallitot can now be personalized, with regards to both fabric and design, using vivid patterns and colors previously unseen. Bright shades of pink (believed by some to be the most beautiful tallit color for women) are much more commonplace, as are more modern interpretations depicting various different scenes and color combinations. In fact, an entire family history can be incorporated into the design of a tallit.
Naturally, certain colors tend to be more highly favoured than others in the same way that other colours are not, due to their deeper meaning or association. Black for example, which is understood to signify death and grieving is not widely utilized as the base color of the tallit. You would not see very many tallitot with a design upon a black background, though it is commonly used as the color of the stripes (along with blue).
Although the colors themselves do not play a significant part in the meaning of the tallit, some colours are associated with different meanings or historical beliefs – for example tallit which was completely pale blue could be seen to embody the Hebrew saying meaning someone with no sins (tallit shekula tehelet).
Tallitot made from silk are becoming increasingly common and as such the range of color combinations is almost limitless. It is also interesting to note that silk is the only fibre utilized in a tallit that is able to be mixed with a different fibre (not silk) and still remain kosher and in accordance with the mitzvah.
Makers of tallitot are able to tailor the garments to the individual needs and desires of the Jewish person, incorporating whatever colours desired, in whatever scene or pattern desired. Such makers may also offer the additional service of a matching tallit bag to protect your important garment.
With the vast array of tallit makers creating works of art in fabric, an individual can have a truly personal prayer shawl to further enhance their prayer experience.
