myTalit - Tallit

The tallit is a very personal garment for the Jews. So the matter of choose tallits for one’s self or tallits for a son or a student is also a personal manner. Choosing a tallit reflects the person’s reference rather than one’s faith. After all, while almost every aspect of the tallit is engraved with tradition, there are no prescribed styles or types of tallits for the Jews.

This is somewhat expected, considering today’s tallits are no longer the prescribed garments used several years ago. Remember that, before the 13th century, Jews did not use tallits the way Jews use them now. Instead, the Jews placed the fringes or the tzitzit on the four corners of their clothes. When clothes ceased having four corners, the wearing of the tallit was practiced.

So people can actually choose whatever style of tallit they want. The dominant styles of the tallis or the prayer shawls are usually classified into two. First, of course, is the traditional tallit. The traditional tallit is made of white wool. It usually sports a striped design, which comes in black, white, or blue. The color and the design of this traditional tallit is obviously patterned after the Israeli flag, which has white and blue stripes on top and on the bottom of a blue star, which is situated on the center. The more modern tallitot, on the other hand, come in more varied colors and design, usually sporting colorful embroidery, paintings, among other creative styles and designs.

These tallilot designs fit both men and women, although the more colorful ones are usually marketed to women. Note though that women are not required to wear tallits. A number of congregations do allow women to wear tallits though.

When choosing a tallit, considering the style of the prayer shawl is so imperative. These tallits can either come in its usual form, often large and can even cover a considerable part of one’s body. Since they are large, these tallits are placed over one’s head. This style, however, is traditional. The modern tallits are smaller, worn the same way as shawls, placed over the shoulders. It is often shawl-type tallit that has more colorful designs.

Lastly, the material of the tallis is also an important factor when choosing the Jewish player shawl. The talis is often made from line, silk, wool, or synthetics. Wool is more convenient to use, since it is durable and easier to clean. Silk looks beautiful but is often expensive and inconvenient to clean. Many advise first-time users of tallits to buy synthetic tallilot instead, which are usually made from acrylic. This type of talis is light and affordable.

It is now very easy to fun tallits. For one, one can probably find tallitot of various designs online. The online tallits have some of the most unorthodox designs. Nonetheless, regardless of design, the most important part of wearing the tallit is keeping in mind the function and the symbolism of this iconic prayer shawl.