If you’re looking for a prayer shawl but can’t decide which one to get, you’re not alone.
With so many different Tallit options, even experienced and new believers may be wondering which is the best prayer shawl from Israel to purchase.
In this exclusive guide on prayer shawls from Jerusalem, you will learn the following:
- What is a Tallit
- Origin and history of prayer shawls
- Where are prayer shawls mentioned in the Bible
- The Significance of prayer shawls
- How are prayer shawls worn
- Power of prayer shawls
- How to use prayer shawls
- Best prayer shawls from Jerusalem to buy
The tallit (sometimes called a “tallis”) is one of the most sought-after items in Jewish religious and cultural life. In Judaism, a prayer shawl, or tallit, is a symbolic garment worn during important Jewish events and holidays.
Though men traditionally wear the prayer shawl, women can also wear the tallith to show their faith.
Moreover, this piece of garment has significant religious significance and should be worn with reverence following the Torah’s commandments.
What is a Tallit?
A tallit is a fringed garment worn by religious Jews and Samaritans as a prayer shawl.
The tallit is a very unique piece of garment that’s authentically designed with special twined and knotted fringes known as tzitzit attached to its four corners.
The “beged,” or cloth part, is usually made of wool or cotton, though silk is occasionally used for a tallit gadol.
Moreover, the tallit was a rectangular mantle similar to a blanket worn by men in ancient times, according to the Encyclopaedia Judaica, with its most popular color being white.
To be more precise, tallits are divided into two categories. Tallit katan, the smaller version, is an item worn by Jews over or under their clothing. Tzitzit is a common name for this small tallit. Tallit gadol is the full name for the larger type of tallit.
Origin and History of Prayer Shawls
Tallit is the most widely recognized name for prayer shawls. Tallits, or prayer shawls, were traditionally worn by Jewish men.
Men began wearing prayer shawls after Moses led the Hebrew people out of Egypt and God spoke His commands to them.
These shawls were worn not only during prayer times but also throughout the day. Men wore them around their necks or tucked them into their outerwear.
Where Are Prayer Shawls Mentioned in the Bible?
Although the garment is derived from Scripture references in the Torah, the phrase “prayer shawls” are not explicitly mentioned in the Bible.
“Throughout the generations to come, you are to make tassels on the corners of your garment, with a blue cord on each tassel,” the Lord says to Moses in Numbers 15:38-41. Deuteronomy 22:12 also instructs to make tassels for the four corners of your cloak.
What Is the Significance of This Garment?
Fringed garments have been found throughout history, but the tallit is particularly significant. It gave God’s people a sense of authority and power.
Tassels, also known as fringe, were attached to the hems of garments. This was to show that the person wearing it was in charge.
David, for example, snipped a corner of Saul’s robe and later felt guilty about it. Saul was the king, and cutting his robe was a great disgrace.
The shawl’s colors alluded to nobility. Because of their significance, the colors blue, white, and purple are used.
In Ezekiel, God is described as being clothed in purple, and in Esther, Mordecai is described as wearing royal blue and white clothing and a purple garment. For this reason, wearing a prayer shawl during times of prayer is similar to having a tent meeting in the presence of the Lord, with the Lord.
How Is a Prayer Shawl Worn?
For the Jewish people, the prayer shawl is a sacred garment worn every day on any occasion. Moreover, this garment is frequently worn under the outerwear but does not come into contact with the skin, while the tassels are visible to others from underneath the outer garment.
A special blessing is said each morning when the prayer shawl is put on. These are the words:
“Blessed are you, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all,
who hallows us with mitzvot, commanding us to wrap ourselves in the fringes.”
After saying the blessing, you should wrap the shawl around your shoulders. Some people prefer to wear the shawl on their heads for a few seconds before wrapping it around their shoulders.
The Power of The Prayer Shawl
The power of the prayer shawl is not in the garment itself, but its power is predicated on the word of God found in Numbers: 15:37:40 “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 38 Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue:
39 And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: 40 That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.”
Wearing a prayer shawl is a sign of Jewish people’s obedience to God’s commands. As such, wearing a tallit is symbolic of your obedience, the presence of God, and the blessings to follow, as a result of your obedience to God.
How to Use a Prayer Shawl
Prayer shawls are powerful, not by themselves of course, but in the book of Numbers 15:38-39, God told Moses to exhort the children of Israel to wear them throughout their generations.
Moreover, Prayer shawls can be used for: enhancing your prayer life by creating a sense of personal space during prayers, undergoing medical procedures; during an illness; as a comfort after a loss or in times of stress; commitment, or marriage ceremonies; during bereavement; prayer or meditation; birthing, nursing a baby; bridal shower or wedding gift; ministering to others, leading ritual; first menses or crowning rites of passage; graduation, holiday gift, birthday, anniversary, ordination, or whatever the occasion, the tallit is ideal.
With all of that said, and given that you now know what is the tallit, its history, its significance, and how to use it. It’s now time for us to look at some of the best prayer shawls from Jerusalem.
As you would know already that prayer shawls from Jerusalem are of high quality. Designed to perfection with high-quality pure wool or linen garments.
Best Prayer Shawls from Jerusalem to Buy
1. Messianic Tallit Prayer Shawl
2. Holy Land Market Women’s Messianic Shawl
Tallit is packaged in a zippered bag made of the same high-quality material as the tallit. This affordable tallit from Jerusalem would make the ideal gift for women wanting to add more significance to their prayer life.
3. Tallit Prayer Shawl from Israel – Lord’s Name Spelled on 4 Corners
Add depth to your prayers with this beautiful, soft Tallis, prayer shawl from the holy land Israel. This special Messianic tallit prayer shawl is of special significance and it comes in white with stripes in 6 colors: purple, navy blue, pink, blue, black, and royal blue. Also, you’ll get with this affordable prayer shawl a beautiful prayer booklet of Shema Yisrael in English.
4. Messianic Tallits prayer Shawl Covenant
The main Christian prayer in Hebrew letters is embroidered in the center, and the four prayers are embroidered on the four corners of the Covenant Prayer Shawl “Tallit.” It is written in English. The golden thread is used to embroider the unique early Christian sign.
The tallit is packaged in a matching bag with a zipper made of the same high-quality 100 percent acrylic polyester material as the tallit. The white and purple thread can be found in all four corners of the sign, as well as the seven candle holder “Menorah” on top, the Star of David in the middle, and the fish at the bottom.
During the Dark Roman Occupation of the Holy Land, Christians used the fish as a means of identification.
5. Rabbi Full Body size – Messianic Prayer Shawl
This is beautifully made and you’ll absolutely love it. The great thing about this tallit is that it will help you stay focused on prayer because of its significance. This high-quality prayer shawl from Jerusalem is a full-body tallit, so you don’t have to worry about it being too small to wrap around you. When you put on this special garment, it feels like you are shutting out the world and just soaking in the presence of the Lord.
Choosing a tallit is a big deal. As Jews and followers of Jesus Christ, it’s a great blessing to wear the tallit every single day during our daily prayers, especially the morning prayers, to get our day off on the right foot. For this reason, it’s imperative that you get a tallit that’ll last you for many years to come, and as we’ve discussed, prayer shawls from Jusurelam are of the highest quality and will last a lifetime if properly cared for.