Tallit and Tzitzit

The fringed garment commanded in the third paragraph of the Shema — worn in prayer and (in the form of the tallit katan) all day.

By The Editors

The Fundamentals · 2 minute read

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Summary. The tallit (prayer shawl) is worn during morning services and at certain other times. The tzitzit (fringes) on its four corners fulfill the commandment of Bamidbar 15:37–41 to “make for yourselves fringes on the corners of your garments.” The tallit katan (“small tallit”) is a smaller fringed garment worn under the clothing all day. The fringes themselves include the thread of techelet (blue, derived from the chilazon sea creature) in some traditions; most contemporary Jews use all-white fringes pending the universal restoration of techelet.

Tallit Gadol — the Prayer Shawl

Worn during morning services (Shacharit), and also at Mincha and Ma’ariv on certain days (Yom Kippur eve through close of Yom Kippur), at the Torah reading, and by the chazzan at all services. Wrapping oneself in the tallit before the morning service is a deliberate act: the blessing is l’hitateif batzitzit (“to enwrap oneself in the tzitzit”). The tallit is gathered up over the head briefly, then settled on the shoulders.

Tallit Katan — the Daily Garment

A smaller four-cornered garment with tzitzit, worn under the shirt all day. Many observant men wear it; some leave the fringes out (as visible reminders, per the verse u’r’item oto, “and you shall see it”), while others tuck them in. Among Hasidim, the tallit katan is generally worn over the shirt and under the jacket, with the fringes hanging out.

The Tzitzit Themselves

Four corners; each corner has a knotted bundle of threads. The Torah requires that the threads include techelet, a blue dye derived from the chilazon sea creature. The chain of tradition was broken around the 7th–8th century CE; from then until recently, all-white tzitzit became normative. A modern movement, led particularly by P’til Tekhelet, claims to have rediscovered the chilazon (identified as Murex trunculus); some observant Jews now wear tzitzit with techelet. The matter is one of ongoing rabbinic discussion, with leading poskim divided.

When You Are First Given a Tallit

Traditionally, a man receives his first full tallit at his wedding (Ashkenazi custom; among Sephardim, the tallit is worn from Bar Mitzvah). The tallit is traditionally received from one’s father-in-law. For a New Jew without family precedent, any purchase is appropriate. Choose a wool tallit (the most halachically preferred fabric); ensure the tzitzit are tied by hand (often labeled “mehudar” or “kosher l’mehadrin”); choose a size that drapes from the shoulders to the knees or longer.

Where Denominations Diverge

Orthodox: men only (in classical practice). Conservative and Reform: men and women both, especially since the late 20th century. Reform: in many congregations, the tallit is now standard for adult worshipers regardless of gender; some traditional Reform congregations retain the older practice of clergy-only tallit. The tallit katan is almost exclusively Orthodox and Hasidic practice.

Sources

Torah: Bamidbar 15:37–41; Devarim 22:12.

Mishnah Menachot 4:1; Talmud Bavli, Menachot 41a–44a.

Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Tzitzit.

Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 8–25.