Jewish Art Today

Jewish people are commanded by the bible to wear special garments beneath their cloths: “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” (Book of Number, chapter 15:39). Most Jewish people today do not wear Tzizit but wear Tallit (Tallis) instead.

The Jewish Prayer Shawl has special twined and knotted fringes and these fringes are commonly known today as Tzitzit. God has given the Jewish people, 613 commandments mitzvot. In Gematria, the word Tzizit equals 600. If you add the eight strands of the Tallit and the five knots, you sum up 613. The Tallit serves as a constant reminder of the 613 mitzvoth that God has given us in the Torah. Today you can find a wide range of Tallitot beautifully  designed by Jewish artists.

Wearing the Tallit Nowadays

Nowadays, it is customary to wear a Jewish prayer shawl during morning services and while inside the synagogue. You can see Jewish people wearing the Jewish payer shawl on Bar Mitzvahs and other special occasions. In many Jewish communities around the   world, it is customary that the groom wears a Tallit at his wedding day, under the Chuppah. In Israel, a Jewish prayer shawl is also worn by visitors to the Wailing Wall. When Birkat HaKohanim (Priestly blessing) is recited in the Wailing Wall, you can see a white wave created by the thousands of worshippers who are covered by Tallits.

The Tallit can be made from many kinds of materials and can come in any color. The Tallit has special fringes called tzizit that would go on top of the corners of the garment worn underneath. The Tallit must be wrapped around the shoulders in a special way. The Jewish prayer shawl is also made according to Jewish laws as instructed in holy sources.

Tallit is a traditional Bar Mitzvah gift

The Jewish prayer shawl is usually given as a gift. According to long Jewish tradition, a son is given his first Jewish prayer shawl as a gift from his fathers on his Bar Mitzvah. It is also very common to give Tallit as a gift on special occasions such as holidays, anniversaries and weddings.

Handmade Tallit by Israeli artist Yair Emanuel. Find this item and more at Canaan-Online.

In regard to women, according to traditional law, women are not obligated to wear Tallits. While there is disagreement in the orthodox community whether women should be allowed to wear a Tallit, in reform and conservative communities, a Jewish prayer shawl is worn by women as often as by men. Different Jewish scholars have argued that wearing a Tallit by a woman is a sign of vanity.  However, many rabbis have permitted this practice. Social changes seem to gradually take place in Jewish communities across the world. Today, even in modern orthodox communities more and more women proudly wear their Tallit. And so, Tallits have become popular Bat Mitzvah gifts as well as Bar Mitzvah.

Today it is customary to wear the Jewish Prayer Shawl in a variety of special designs. Here we bring you an innovative line of Jewish prayer shawls for men and women in a variety of styles to match your personal style and the occasion. Handmade in Israel by local artists, all Tallits are made with fine material according to the laws of tradition, for your perfect enjoyment.