As a young woman attending my now husband’s church, I attended the ladies’ sorority meetings every month. One of those meetings introduced me to the prayer shawl. There was a lady in our church who was going through a difficult time and her group wanted to give her a prayer shawl.
This prayer shawl was to be woven in beautiful colors and prayed over before being given to him. She had no idea what a prayer shawl was, and she certainly didn’t know what this lady was going to do with it. Years later, he still did not understand the purpose of a prayer shawl.
Out of my curiosity arose the desire to know everything about the sacred garment called the prayer shawl and what was the meaning of this garment. What I found was a piece of cloth steeped in Jewish tradition with a beautiful purpose.
What is a prayer shawl?
A prayer shawl, also called a tallit, is a special garment worn by Jewish men. The garment represents the nobility that comes from being God’s chosen people. The tallit is a sign of obedience to the law of God.
Jewish women are not required to wear them, but some do during prayer time. Jewish boys are often given the tallit at their bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah. Some Christians today wear a prayer shawl during their prayer time.
Origin and history of prayer shawls
Prayer shawls go by many names, but the most accepted name is Tallit. Historically, Jewish men wore prayer shawls or tallits. After Moses brought the Hebrew people out of the land of Egypt and God spoke the commandments to him, men began the practice of wearing a prayer shawl. These shawls were not only worn at times of prayer, but were also worn throughout the day. Men wore them around their necks or under their outer garments.
The prayer shawl is believed to have been designed similarly to the outer garments worn by Bedouins to protect their skin from the desert sun. That would explain the white shawl with black stripes. The shawls would have been made from a mixture of silk and wool. The Israelites would have used wool to show the connection to the sacrificial lamb.
The design included tassels placed at the four corners of the garment. Each tassel was to have eight threads and five knots at each corner of the garment. The total number of tassels is equal to 613, which means the number of commandments that God gave in the Torah.
Historically, only men were required to wear a tallit, but today some women choose to wear them as well. The color of the tallit is traditionally white with a blue thread running through the tassels. When the Jews dispersed, blue thread was hard to come by, so other colors were accepted.
Today, prayer shawls are designed and worn in much the same way as they were historically. The Jewish people continue to use the prayer shawl to connect with God more quickly and intimately.
Where are prayer shawls mentioned in the Bible?
Prayer shawls are not specifically mentioned in the Bible, but the garment is derived from scriptural references in the Torah. In Numbers 15:38-41, the Lord is speaking to Moses and says, “You shall make tassels on the corners of your robe from generation to generation, with a blue cord on each tassel.” Deuteronomy 22:12 also says to make tassels on the four corners of the robe you wear.
The purpose of the tassels was for the Israelite people to have a reminder of all of God’s commandments.
What is the meaning of this garment?
Throughout history, we find garments with fringes, but the tallit has a special importance. It gave God’s people a sense of power and authority.
Tassels, or fringes, were located at the edge of a garment. This was to signify the authority of the wearer. For example, David cut off a corner of Saul’s robe and then felt guilty about it. Saul was the king, and it was a great dishonor to cut off his robe.
The colors of the mantle pointed to the nobility. Blue, white and purple are the colors used for their meaning. God mentions being dressed in purple in Ezekiel and Mordecai is dressed in royal blue and white robes and a purple robe in Esther. God is our King; therefore, his sons are of noble lineage.
Wearing a prayer shawl during times of prayer is like having a tent to meet with the Lord.
How is a prayer shawl worn?
The prayer shawl is a sacred garment for the Jewish people. The shawl is worn not only on special occasions, but every day. It is often worn under the outer garment, but without touching the skin. The tassels hang below the outer garment, in full view of others.
When the prayer shawl is put on each morning, a special blessing is said. The mantle would be placed in front of you as you say these words:
Blessed are you, Adonai our God,
Sovereign of all,
that you sanctify us with mitzvot,
order us to wrap ourselves in the fringes.
Once the blessing is said, the shawl is then wrapped around the shoulders. Some choose to place the cloak on their heads for a moment before wrapping their shoulders.
For the Jewish people, wearing a prayer shawl is a sign of obedience to God’s commands. The shawl represents a sense of personal space. You may feel as if you are wrapped in the arms of God.
Although the prayer shawl does not have as much meaning for Christians, it is still a special item for us. When we read the scriptures or spend time in prayer and meditation, a prayer shawl can be comforting. It can help us feel closer to God. Time spent with Father can feel more personal.
Why don’t Christians use this today?
Jesus was Jewish and would have worn a fringed cape. There are stories in the Bible about the sick touching the hem of Jesus’ garment. Your tasseled cloak was a sacred piece. It meant your beliefs and love for the one true God. Before Jesus came to earth, the prayer shawl was a requirement for his people.
Once Jesus died on the cross for us, we no longer had that requirement. We were free from the law.
Christians often buy a prayer shawl during a trip to the Holy Land or in online markets. They are a reminder to us of what God did for his chosen people and what he made of him when he sent his son to die for us.
Christians do not use prayer shawls because we believe that the Messiah has come, and we live under the new covenant. Today we find groups of ladies weaving shawls for other ladies. They are given away during a time of grief or illness.
A Christian prayer shawl can have intricate designs and colorful themes. Although we are not required to use them, they are special.
Prayer shawls have a rich history within the Jewish community. They are a beautiful and sacred garment that is always worn during daylight hours. Today, a prayer shawl remains precious and sacred to the Christian. It is usually given as a gift to a person facing difficult circumstances. They don’t look like the tallit Jesus wore, but they do serve as a reminder that we are carried through this life wrapped in our Father’s arms.