Tallit

Design and ritual fringes

The main body of the shawl, called the beged, is typically woven from white wool, though cotton and silk are also common. At each corner hangs a set of twisted cords known as tzitzit. According to scripture, these fringes served as an everyday reminder to follow divine laws. Ancient tradition prescribed including a thread dyed with tekhelet, a distinct blue hue. Although this blue strand fell out of general use during centuries in the diaspora, modern interest has led to its partial return. Rabbinic tradition strictly governs how the threads are spun and knotted.

Varieties and life stages

Jewish tradition distinguishes between two main garments. The tallit katan is a smaller, poncho-style undergarment worn throughout the day, often starting in early childhood. The tallit gadol is the larger shawl worn over outer garments for morning prayers. Age customs vary widely by background. In Sephardic communities, young boys frequently put on the large shawl before reaching bar mitzvah. Ashkenazi Orthodox custom often reserves the large shawl until after marriage, where it is presented as a bridal gift. Across Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, and Renewal movements, women also wear the prayer shawl for worship.

Prayer and sacred moments

Worshippers drape the shawl across their shoulders during weekday morning prayers, on Shabbat, and on festivals. Some pull the fabric over their heads during central prayers like the Amidah or when reciting blessings over the Torah. On Yom Kippur, the tallit is worn from the evening Kol Nidre service through the close of the holy day. The garment also plays a visible role at communal celebrations: it can serve as the wedding canopy, or chuppah, under which couples marry, and is held aloft over children during Simchat Torah festivities.

End of life rites

The tallit accompanies a person through the end of life. After ritual washing by the burial society, a deceased man is traditionally dressed in a white kittel and wrapped in his prayer shawl. Before burial, one of the corner fringes is deliberately severed, signifying that the deceased is no longer bound by earthly commandments. In the Land of Israel, burials take place without a wooden coffin, leaving the prayer shawl and shroud as the primary wrapping for the body.

How Tallit is kept

Before starting morning prayers, a worshipper takes the folded tallit, unfolds it, and recites a traditional blessing before draping it over the shoulders. During key liturgical passages, such as the Amidah or the Torah reading, the worshipper may draw the upper edge over the head to foster deep concentration. Cantors and Torah readers wear the shawl while leading the congregation. At weddings, the groom may stand enveloped in the shawl beneath the canopy, and during Simchat Torah, adults stretch large shawls over children as a protective canopy.

When and where

The tallit gadol is worn every day during morning services, on Shabbat, and on festivals. On Yom Kippur, worshipers wear it for all services, beginning at dusk with Kol Nidre. In contrast, on the fast of Tisha B'Av, many Ashkenazi and Sephardic worshippers delay putting it on until the afternoon service.

Jewish communities observe this practice worldwide in synagogues, study halls, and homes. It is practiced across Israel and throughout the global diaspora, maintaining distinct regional customs developed across Ashkenazi, Sephardic, and other communal traditions.

What Tallit means

The fringes on the corners act as a tangible reminder of the divine commandments recorded in the Torah. In Jewish mystical thought, wrapping oneself in the shawl inspires reverence and creates a focused, sacred space for prayer. When used at weddings, celebrations, and burials, the garment signifies divine protection, continuity across generations, and dedication to sacred law.

Days Tallit is marked

Questions people ask about Tallit

See also

MuharramThe sacred opening month of the Islamic year, observed through remembrance and fastingYom HaZikaronIsrael's national day of mourning for fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism.KlezmerAn Ashkenazi Jewish instrumental tradition of lively dance tunes and ritual melodiesPassoverA Jewish spring festival celebrating freedom from slavery with ritual meals

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• Jewish Concepts: Tallis/TzitzisJewish Virtual Library, Article
• Jewish Concepts: Tallis/TzitzisJewish Virtual Library, Article

• Tallit on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.