Many believers are
unfamiliar with all of what is written in the scriptures relating to their
lifestyle in Messiah. It appears that the use of the tallit is one of those
things that many believers in Yeshua (Jesus) find of no relevance to them.
The term “tallit” is Hebrew meaning “to cover” or “a covering”, and is
referred to as a “prayer shawl”. Many consider it to be in connection only
with those who are Jewish. However, a look at the background and purpose
of the tallit will prove that its use holds great significance to the believer.
Before dealing with the origin of the tallit, it is necessary that a brief
description of it be given. The tallit is a rectangular garment with tassels
which are called “tzitzit” that are attached to its four corners. With
each tassel having a blue cord attached to it (In some cases all of the
cords of the tassels are blue). The word “tzitzit” is the Hebrew term meaning
“tassel”. The origin of the tallit developed with the use of the tassels.
God commanded that tassels with the blue cord be attached to four corners
of the outer garment that was part of the regular clothing during the time
of Moses. To verify this, look at Deuteronomy 22:12.
“Make tassels on the four
corners of the cloak you wear”(Deut. 22:12 NIV).
Now the purpose for the use
of the tassels attached to the outer garment served as a reminder for God’s
covenant people to obey the commands of the LORD. It was a means of helping
the congregation of the LORD to keep the covenant through a visible reminder
to obey the God’s commands. The LORD made this clear to Moses in Numbers
15:37-39.
“The LORD said to Moses,
"Speak to the Israelites and say to them: `Throughout the generations to
come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue
cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you
will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and
not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and
eyes” (Num 15:37-39 NIV).
The terms used in the Scriptures
that properly refer to the tallit are “garment”, “mantle” and “cloak.”
When the above terms are used in the Scriptures to describe the outer garment
that someone wore, they are specifically depicting individuals wearing
a tallit. This is clearly seen by looking at a number of places in the
Scriptures where God’s people and Yeshua (Jesus) observed the command of
wearing the tallit (Deut. 22:12).
SAMUEL THE PROPHET WORE A
TALLIT
“And as Samuel turned about
to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt (corner) of his mantle, and rent
it” (I Samuel 15:27)
“And he said unto her, What
form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with
a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his
face to the ground, and bowed himself” (I Samuel 28:14).
