Tzit-tzit and Tallit

There are some items of clothing which Jewish people sometimes wear that may look strange to you.

One is a prayer shawl, which in HebrewThe language of the Jewish people and of Israel. Hebrew is also used more generally to mean the culture of the Jewish people (ie. Hebrew calendar). is called a tallit (SephardiDescribes Jews of Spanish or Portuguese decent. and Mizraḥi pronunciation) or tallis (Ashkenazi
Jewish group and culture primarily developed around Central or Eastern Europe. pronunciation). These have strings which are knotted in a certain way to make tassels on the four corners. Prayer shawls are made from wool, cotton or sometimes silk. They are traditionally worn by men and boys, but in some communities women also wear them. It is worn wrapped around the shoulders, and sometimes over the head.

A tallit is worn for morning prayer on weekdays, special occasions like weddings, and for prayer services on ShabbatThe Jewish sabbath day (Friday evening to Saturday evening). Sometimes pronounced ‘Shabbos’ by Ashkenazi Jews. and holy days, especially by the person leading services and reading from the Torah. In most Ashkenazi
Jewish group and culture primarily developed around Central or Eastern Europe. communities, people begin wearing a tallit when they get married, whereas in most SephardiDescribes Jews of Spanish or Portuguese decent. communities, the tallit is worn from Bar/Bat Mitzvah age.