While there are many situations in which tallitot are given as gifts, the most common event is a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. At Bat Mitzvahs and Bar Mitzvahs, many families choose to give their child a tallit, which they will wear for the first time as they lead a congregation in prayer and learning.
Bar Mitzvah is the Hebrew word for the son of commandment. A Jewish boy upon turning 13 gets all the obligations and rights of a Jewish adult, including the commandments of the Torah. From the date, he will wear tefillin daily, participate in synagogue services and take his place in the Jewish community. The milestone called Bar Mitzvah is often celebrated with a ceremony in parties, synagogue, and tefillin wearing. The celebrant becomes eligible to take part in public religious worship and observe religious precepts.
When you attend a Bar Mitzvah ceremony, you often wonder – “What some of the random symbols mean anyway?”
In Judaism, nothing is ever random. Everything has an underlying meaning, including the symbols you often see in Bar Mitzvah tallit and ceremonies.
There are four levels of interpretation, known as PaRDeS in Jewish structure used to discover the true meaning behind Jewish symbols and signs.
Peshat: Simple and straightforward explanation
Remez: Symbolic or allegorical
Derash: Deriving meaning through analysis
Sod: Secret and mystical interpretation
Bar Mitzvah is the Hebrew word for the son of commandment. A Jewish boy upon turning 13 gets all the obligations and rights of a Jewish adult, including the commandments of the Torah. From the date, he will wear tefillin daily, participate in synagogue services and take his place in the Jewish community. The milestone called Bar Mitzvah is often celebrated with a ceremony in parties, synagogue, and tefillin wearing. The celebrant becomes eligible to take part in public religious worship and observe religious precepts.
When you attend a Bar Mitzvah ceremony, you often wonder – “What some of the random symbols mean anyway?”
In Judaism, nothing is ever random. Everything has an underlying meaning, including the symbols you often see in Bar Mitzvah tallit and ceremonies.
There are four levels of interpretation, known as PaRDeS in Jewish structure used to discover the true meaning behind Jewish symbols and signs.
Peshat: Simple and straightforward explanation
Remez: Symbolic or allegorical
Derash: Deriving meaning through analysis
Sod: Secret and mystical interpretation
In a few moments, you will also discover, what are the most common Bar Mitzvah symbols and what do they mean?
KIPPAH:
Kippah is a famous headcover Jewish men wear every time they pray, read from the Torah, attend Jewish ceremonies, attend a funeral, enter a synagogue, or perform any other religious activity. Many Jewish men wear a Kippah as a sign of their piety and their belief in Jewish law. The Kippah serves as a constant reminder of God’s presence. Or, to quote Rabbi Hunah ben Joshua, meaning, “The divine presence is always over my head.” The Kippah is a common Bar Mitzvah symbol as it symbolizes maturity. The boy wears a Kippah for the first time in the Bar Mitzvah ceremony – subject to the Torah’s commandments.
TALLIT:
Tallit is a Jewish prayer shawl Jewish men wear during the morning prayer (Shacharit).
There are two types of Tallitot:
• Tallit Gadol (large tallit0: This is a large prayer shawl that Jewish wear on top of their clothes.
• Tallit Katan (small tallit): This small piece of clothing is normally worn under the clothes. This is referred to as Tzitzit.
Traditionally, the father buys his son his first Bar Mitzvah tallit. The same holds for girls in conservative and reform communities, where the parents buy their daughter her first Bat Mitzvah tallit.
Reform Jews and orthodox Jews wear different types of tallitot. Reform Jews wear a smaller tallit around their neck, while orthodox Jews wear a full-size Tallit that covers their entire back.
You would want to choose a tallit that fits the boy’s size, and the way he will wear it.
What makes a great Bar Mitzvah Tallit?
KIPPAH:
Kippah is a famous headcover Jewish men wear every time they pray, read from the Torah, attend Jewish ceremonies, attend a funeral, enter a synagogue, or perform any other religious activity. Many Jewish men wear a Kippah as a sign of their piety and their belief in Jewish law. The Kippah serves as a constant reminder of God’s presence. Or, to quote Rabbi Hunah ben Joshua, meaning, “The divine presence is always over my head.” The Kippah is a common Bar Mitzvah symbol as it symbolizes maturity. The boy wears a Kippah for the first time in the Bar Mitzvah ceremony – subject to the Torah’s commandments.
TALLIT:
Tallit is a Jewish prayer shawl Jewish men wear during the morning prayer (Shacharit).
There are two types of Tallitot:
• Tallit Gadol (large tallit0: This is a large prayer shawl that Jewish wear on top of their clothes.
• Tallit Katan (small tallit): This small piece of clothing is normally worn under the clothes. This is referred to as Tzitzit.
Traditionally, the father buys his son his first Bar Mitzvah tallit. The same holds for girls in conservative and reform communities, where the parents buy their daughter her first Bat Mitzvah tallit.
Reform Jews and orthodox Jews wear different types of tallitot. Reform Jews wear a smaller tallit around their neck, while orthodox Jews wear a full-size Tallit that covers their entire back.
You would want to choose a tallit that fits the boy’s size, and the way he will wear it.
What makes a great Bar Mitzvah Tallit?
To me, it has to be –
• Beautiful
• Authentic
• Large enough to be worn in the traditional style
What do these Jewish prayer shawls look like?
Let’s have a look…
Bordeaux Star of David Tallit
This gorgeous Bordeaux wool tallit is sure to impress everyone around. The tallit is deep red wine in color and flaunts stunning horizontal Star of David design across it as well as a Hebrew blessing around its collar. This Jewish Prayer Shawl would make a wonderful gift for any man in your life for any special occasion! The atara is embroidered in White on Bordeaux background and the blessing is in Hebrew. Complete with a matching kippah and bag, and this one-of-a-kind tallit will be the one you will enjoy for years to come!
Jerusalem embroidered on Blue Silk Wool Tallit
Show off your love of Jerusalem with this one-of-a-kind silk wool tallit! This hand-made silk tallit for men is a modern tallit design in wool decorated with shades of blue and accents of Green. On top of the silk, stunning gold lines are depicting the landscape of the City of Jerusalem. The blessing is embroidered on a deep blue atara. Unique and colorful, this marvelous tallit is accompanied by a set of matching kippah and bag. This can make a perfect gift set to present someone close to you!
At Galilee Silks, we are the leading Israeli studio that creates the most stunning and unique range of Judaica textile products along with silk and fashion accessories. We create one-of-a-kind Judaica products that are well-known all over the world in many Judaica stores as well as Temple shops and Jewish congregation members. For customizing your tallit, you can contact us with the suitable tallit size as per your needs.
At Galilee Silks, we are the leading Israeli studio that creates the most stunning and unique range of Judaica textile products along with silk and fashion accessories. We create one-of-a-kind Judaica products that are well-known all over the world in many Judaica stores as well as Temple shops and Jewish congregation members. For customizing your tallit, you can contact us with the suitable tallit size as per your needs.
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