The prayer shawl/tallit holds various mysteries to non-believers as well Christians in the faith. The Jewish nation was instructed by Elohim Himself to fabricate a prayer shawl as a reminder of the commandments they were to follow. Instructions are found in the Tanakh, Numbers 15:37-41 and Deuteronomy 22:12.

This garment is made of wool representing the ‘Lamb of Elohim.’ It is rectangular in shape and adorned at each corner with tassels, called ‘tzitzit’ in Hebrew.

So, what does a Prayer Shawl have to do with a little tent? The Hebrew word for this shawl is a tallit. Let us dissect the word to know its hidden meaning.

Tallit is a compound word. Tal means tent, and ith means little. The prayer shawl is indicative of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, which was the larger Tent of Meeting. At this present time, the Tabernacle has passed us by, but the Little Tent, or Little Tabernacle, remains with us today. The Tallit represents a contact point, a meeting with Elohim in secret, having intimate prayer. Elohim has made this encounter a special place, not just for Jews but for all individuals.

The tassels attached to the Tallit are called tzitzit and have a numerical value in Hebrew of six hundred. The five knots and eight cords of the threaded tassels total thirteen. Thus, the total number together equals six-hundred thirteen. This is exactly the number of commandments found in the Torah. According to His statements, the Commandments were the message that Yahweh wanted His holy people to sense right from wrong. The tassels are all white and have one blue strand, which stands out among the white. The blue strand is longer in length and called the Shammah, meaning “Adonai is there.” The length represents a longing for the things of God, better yet, the longing for Mashiach/Messiah.

As said, the threaded tassels are five knots and eight cords total of thirteen. Thirteen is the numerical value of the word echad, meaning one. This number One signifies the Shema, the called shout and cornerstone of the Hebrew faith.

Hear, O Israel: Yahweh our Elohim is one Yahweh Deuteronomy 6:4

Some Hebrew tribes tie the tassels in different specific patterns. The number value spells out the name of the God of the Hebrews, YHWH.  Numerically, YHWH equals 10-5-6-5. Not only do the tzitzit represent the laws of Elohim, but also His holy name and that He is ONE GOD.

Many Jews use the tallit with great care and specify a certain way of placing the garment upon their shoulders before they pray. Addressing the Prayer Shawl is a great privilege. The observant Jew gives thanks to Elohim in prayer, and it is the first order of business to meet in this way!

The Greek word for worship is proskuneo, meaning “to kiss toward.” Many Jews practice this style of worship among the many customs in the assemblies. The Tallit is often kissed along the band around the neck, where a kiss represents a blessing of thanks to Elohim!

When donning the Prayer Shawl translated, a simple prayer is said and read like this, “Blessed are you, Adonai/YHWH, our Elohim. King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to enwrap ourselves in the fringes/tzitzit.”

The tallit also plays a role in a Jewish wedding. The bride and groom stand under a similar canopy/chuppah called the tallit gadol, the big or great tallit. The bride generally gifts a tallit to the groom, and it makes its appearance during the ceremony. The groom will wrap the garment around himself. At some point, the tallit is placed over the head of the bride and groom together. This takes place during the ceremony called Sheva Brachot, meaning seven blessings. All these together bring truth from Scripture.  Both bride and groom are under the cover of Elohim himself and are now one flesh (See Genesis 2:24).

“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun (meaning brilliant) of righteousness arise with healing in his wings” (Malakhi/Malachi 4:2 RSB).

The tallit also carries another nugget of truth from the Scriptures. The Hebrew word for wings in this scripture is kanaf. A word that details the description of the fringes like the feathers of a great eagle.

Yahushua absolutely followed the Jewish custom of wearing the tallit. Many sought Him and were healed as they grasped the fringes of His garment.

“They begged him that the sick people might only touch the tzitzit on his robe, and all who touched it were healed (Mattityahu/Matthew 14:36 CJB).

The word of Yahweh has much to say about this special covering.

Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Therefore, if ye will obey my voice and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine (Exodus19:4-5 KJV).

The tallit is that little tent where you can secretly commune with the Almighty. Obey the covenant, and you will be that “peculiar treasure” in Yahweh’s hand. To cover your head with the tallit is to experience the Shekinah Glory of the Highest. I encourage all believers, wherever they are, to practice this custom. Simply, a prescription from the Creator Himself, a reminder of the Tabernacle, a secret place to meet your beloved Creator.

Raise your eyes and look around: they are all gathering and coming to you. ADONAI swears: “As surely as I am alive, you will wear them all like jewels, adorn yourself with them like a bride” (Yeshayahu/Isaiah 49:18 CJB).