prayer shawl
Noun: A rectangular garment, traditionally made of wool or silk, with specially knotted fringes (called tzitzit) on each of its four corners. It is worn by Jewish men during morning prayers, and on certain other occasions, as a physical reminder of religious commandments and divine presence.
The term "prayer shawl" refers specifically to the garment itself, known in Hebrew as a tallit (or tallis). It is donned for prayer, particularly the morning service.
Examples: * Before the service began, he carefully unfolded his prayer shawl and placed it over his shoulders. * The fringes on his prayer shawl were worn from years of daily use. * It is a tradition for a Jewish man to receive his first prayer shawl at his bar mitzvah.
- "To don/wrap oneself in the prayer shawl": This phrase describes the specific act of putting on the tallit, which is often accompanied by a blessing.
- He stood quietly to don his prayer shawl before beginning his devotions.
- Tallit (noun): The Hebrew term for the prayer shawl. This is the more precise and commonly used word within Jewish religious contexts.
- Tallis (noun): A common Ashkenazi (Eastern European Jewish) pronunciation and spelling variant of .
- Tzitzit (noun): The Hebrew term for the ritual fringes tied to the corners of the prayer shawl (and also to a smaller undergarment called the ).
- Religious shawl: A general descriptive term.
- Prayer garment: A broader term that could include other items.
The "prayer shawl" is distinct from other religious garments. Its defining feature is the tzitzit (fringes), which are tied with a specific number of knots as a symbolic representation of the 613 commandments in the Torah. While primarily associated with morning prayer, it is also worn during all daytime prayer services (except on the fast day of Tisha B'Av) and by the prayer leader during certain evening services.
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(Judaism) a shawl with a ritually knotted fringe at each corner; worn by Jews at morning prayer
