tallit

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Rectangular prayer shawl worn during worship by Orthodox Jewish men and Reform Jews of both sexes. It is white with black or blue stripes, and has 613 tzitzit (fringes) as a reminder of the 613 commandments of the Torah. The shawl is worn round the shoulders or over the head, giving the wearer a feeling of being securely enveloped by God. The berachah prayer is said before putting it on. Some Jews wear the smaller tallit katan all day under their ordinary clothes, with the fringes showing to remind them of the commandments.

The tallit is first worn at the ceremony of bar mitzvah for boys, at the age of 13, or bat mitzvah for girls, at the age of 12.

Red is said to stand for bloodshed. White represents peace, holiness, and eternity. Effective date: 9 December 1943. >>