PAUL THE APOSTLE
WORE A TALLIT
“When you come, bring the
cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the
parchments” (II Timothy 4:13).
REMINDER OF THE COVENANT
BLESSINGS AND PROMISES
According to the biblical
(Hebrew) wedding ceremony, the bride and bridegroom make a covenant with
each other (exchange marriage vows) under the “chupa” - a covering consisting
of a tallit and supports that uphold the tallit. The symbolism of the biblical
wedding ceremony points to the covenant relationship between God and His
people. The person that is in covenant relationship with God is literally
married to Him. By this one can see that the tallit reflects the covenant
that the believer has with the Most High. The Rabbis taught that the Most
High wears a tallit; the people of God are represented by the tassels which
remind the Most High of His covenant with His people. In the same manner,
the wearing of the tallit not only reminds the believer to keep the commands
of God, but it also reminds the believer of the blessings and promises
of the covenant as result of demonstrating loving faithfulness to the Most
High. This was most likely the reason why the woman with “the issue of
blood” (hemorrhaging problem) believed that she could be healed if she
would be able to touch the “tassel” (hem) of Yeshua’s (Jesus’) tallit (garment).
One of the covenant blessings resulting from loving faithfulness to God
states,
“And the LORD will take away
from thee all sickness...” (Deuteronomy 7:15).
Presently, the New Covenant
that has been made through Yeshua (Jesus) provides the people of God with
even better promises. Therefore when the believer wears the tallit it signifies
being wrapped in the covenant of the Most High, and is a continual reminder
of the intimate relationship that one has with Him.
