Search results for: ""Talit""
Birkat Cohanim: Talit over Child's Head
It is a custom for fathers to cover their sons' heads with their talit while the priests/cohanim bless the congregation.
Reason So the boys do not to look at the Divine Presence (shechina) present at the priests'/cohanim's fingertips at that time.
Note The priests'/cohanim's hands should be covered by a talit anyway.
Note This custom applies to ANYTIME the priests/cohanim say birkat cohanim, whether on:
Note The priests'/cohanim's hands should be covered by a talit anyway.
Note This custom applies to ANYTIME the priests/cohanim say birkat cohanim, whether on:
- Jewish festivals (the only time the priests/cohanim say this blessing outside of Eretz Yisrael), or
- Daily (as is done in Eretz Yisrael).
Attire: Woman Wearing Talit for Warmth
A woman should not use a talit to keep warm, even
- if there is no other garment in the synagogue and
- if she is listening to a Torah class.
Tzitzit: Garment Disposal
Garments for talit katan and talit gadol have no special holiness (kedusha). But once used for a mitzva, the garments—like the tzitziyot themselves--must be wrapped before disposal, as above.
Tzitzit: Placement
Like all tzitzit, tzitzit on a talit gadol should hang over the side edge of the talit and not hang down from the bottom.
Note They are still kosher even if they hang straight down, b'di'avad.
Tzitzit: When Hot
You do not need to wear a talit katan at any time when you would not wear a shirt, such as if it is too hot or if you are too sweaty. If you wear a shirt, you should also wear a talit katan.
Kissing Tzitziyot in Shema
Kiss all four tzitziyot in a talit gadol when saying the shema. Just kiss the front two tzitziyot if you only wear a talit katan. Doing either one is a non-binding custom, not a halacha.
What To Wear for Shema in Shacharit
Men should wear a talit katan (for married men, also wear a talit gadol) and tefilin in order to say shema in shacharit. However, if none are available, say the shema without them.
Wedding Customs: What the Bride Buys
The bride buys for the groom:
- Talit and kittel,
- Watch, and
- Set of the Talmud.
Folding Clothes on a Crease on Shabbat
Don't fold clothes (including a talit) on an existing crease on Shabbat.
Note You may fold clothes on a new crease that was not there before you did the folding, but only if there is already an existing crease in the garment.
Note If there is not a crease from before you fold the garment, you may not make one.
Note If there is not a crease from before you fold the garment, you may not make one.
Jewish Festivals: Folding Clothes on Existing Crease
Don't fold clothes (including a talit) on an existing crease on Jewish festivals.
Items on Which Men Say SheHecheyanu
Men say she'hecheyanu on a new talit. Do not say she'hecheyanu on tefilin.
Tzitzit Checking: Before Blessing
You are not required to check tzitzit on a talit katan or talit gadol each day.
Reason We assume, based on the norm (chazaka), that the tzitzit are OK.
But it is a good idea to check them before saying the blessing over them each day.
Reason We assume, based on the norm (chazaka), that the tzitzit are OK.
But it is a good idea to check them before saying the blessing over them each day.
Shacharit: Earliest Time for Blessings over Tefilin and Tzitzit
Earliest time to say blessings over tefilin and tzitzit/talit is mi'sheyakir (in New York, 36-40 minutes before sunrise).
Tzitzit: Knots and Wraps
Tzitzit strings have five knots separating four wraps of strings. This applies to tzitzit whether on a talit katan or talit gadol. The minimum length for tzitzit strings:
• From the first to fifth knots--at least 4 inches;
• From the fifth knot to the bottom (lower end) of the strings—at least 8 inches.
The wraps go around the entire bunch of strings as follows:
• At top but below the first knot: 7 times
• Below the second knot: 8 times
• Below the third knot: 11 times, and
• Above the bottom knot: 13 times
Note The total of the wraps' gematria values (7+ 8+ 11 + 13 = 39) equals the gematria values of Hashem (one of God's names) Echad (is One), as follows:
Hashem (spelled: yud, heh, vav, heh) = 26
Echad (spelled: alef, chet, daled) = 13
Hashem + Echad = 26 + 13 = 39
Hashem (spelled: yud, heh, vav, heh) = 26
Echad (spelled: alef, chet, daled) = 13
Hashem + Echad = 26 + 13 = 39
What To Tear for Kri'a
When tearing kri'a, do not tear underwear, a coat or sweater worn for warmth, or talit katan. To avoid ruining good or expensive clothing, you may change to other clothes before doing kri'a.
You may tear the same garment more than once if you need to do kriya for more than one dead person or for seeing the Temple mount more than once (in more than 30 days).
You may tear the same garment more than once if you need to do kriya for more than one dead person or for seeing the Temple mount more than once (in more than 30 days).