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Why is the Tallit worn during prayers?

by Rabbi Naftali Silberberg

  

Library » Mitzvot » Tallit and Tzitzit | Subscribe | What is RSS?

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During the morning prayers, it is customary to don a Tallit gadol (“big tallit”)—a prayer shawl. Wearing a tallit is the ideal way to observe the Mitzvah, for only in a tallit is the individual enwrapped in the Tzitzit.

Even one who does not wear tzitzit throughout the entire day should wear a tallit during prayers. The mitzvah of tzitzit is discussed in the third section of the Shema, and it is slightly hypocritical to recite the verses which discuss the importance of tzitzit whilst choosing to refrain from fulfilling this mitzvah.


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RELATED CATEGORIES

Daily Life » Clothing » Tallit and Tzitzit
Mitzvot » Prayer » Laws and Customs
Mitzvah
(pl. Mitzvot). A commandment from G-d. Mitzvah also means a connection, for a Jew connects with G–d through fulfilling His commandments.
Tallit
A prayer shawl. A large four-cornered woolen garment with fringes attached to its corners in a specific manner. This garment is worn by males during the morning prayers, fulfilling the Biblical obligation of attaching fringes to four-cornered garments.
Tzitzit
Literally: the fringes which are attached to four cornered garments, as Biblically mandated. Normally this word refers to a t-shirt sized four cornered garment which contains such fringes, and is usually worn beneath the shirt.
Shema
The most fundamental Jewish prayer, recited twice daily. This prayer, of Biblical origin, professes the belief in G-d's absolute unity.