By Messianic Rabbi Eric Carlson

PHRASE'S

Atara - The crown or neckpiece of the talit.

Shamash - The blue strand in a tzitzit.

Tzitzit - Specially made fringes worn on the four corners of a talit.

Tzitziyot - Plural form of tzitzit.

The Hebrew writing on the ATARAH or CROWN is usually the Blessing that is also recited when putting on the Tallit:

"Blessed art Thou Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to wrap ourselves in the tzitzit."

In ancient times the Tallit was worn as daily habit to protect against sand and wind. Today the Tallit is used as a religious garment for prayer (Prayer Shawl). The upper part has an ATARAH sewn on it to distinguish the top or mantle. It proclaims Gods command to wear the Tallit which has on all four it's corners the Tzizit. At the four corners of the tallit,Tzizt (tassels) are attached in fulfillment of the biblical commandment of (Num. 15:38) For prayer, the Tallit is pulled over the top of the head blocking all distractions. This is a personal prayer closet, a private, holy place where one seeks the face of God

The Tzizit consists of one long and three short white threads which are passed through holes in the four corners of the Tallit! The biblical commandment prescribing the entwining of a blue cord in the fringes is essential because blue, the color of the sky, was also the color of the “Throne of Glory” (Numbers 15:38-40 “Speak to the people of Israel, instructing them to make, through all their generations, Tzitzit on the corners of their garments, and to put with the Tzitzit on each corner a blue thread. It is to be a Tzitzit for you to look at and thereby remember all of Adonai’s Mitzvot (commands) and obey them, so that you won’t go around wherever your own heart and eyes lead you to prostitute yourselves; but it will help you remember and obey all my Mitzvot and be holy for your God”. The long thread is wound around the other threads 7, 8, 11, and 13 times and the four joints are separated from one another by a double knot. The total of all the wraps equals 39, the number of stripes that Yeshua bore on His back for our healing. The Tzitzit thus consists of five double knots and eight threads ( 13 total). This number together with the numerical value of zitzit (600) amounts to 613, the total number of Gods commands in the Torah.

Yeshua wore a Tallit and Tzitzit. Matthew 9:20-22 states "A woman who had a hemorrage for twelve years approached Him from behind and touched the Tzizit on His robe. For she said to herself, "If I can only touch His robe, I will be healed." Yeshua turned, saw her and said,"Courage, daughter! your trustt has healed you." And she was instantly healed."

The Tallit or prayer shawl is for everyone who is a beleiver (Jew and Gentile) that understands it's meaning. It is a powerfull worship and prayer tool to seek the face and glory of God. Used as a prayer closet, it allows one to concentrate and seek our heavenly Father without distraction. The tallit is a garment one can wear to create a sense of personal space during prayer. By wrapping yourself in it, or by covering your head with it, the intention and direction of your prayers can be enhanced. The Torah does not state that the Tallit is for men only. All are welcome to wear the Tallit contrary to some theologies!

The following blessing can be said when putting on the Tallit. The Tallit is worn by placing the garment over the shoulder (Atarah us on the neck) and the head starting from your left and swinging it over your right side. You finish the blessing then pull the Tallit down of your head and onto your shoulders.

Baruch atah, Adonai eloheinu, melech ha-olam, asheh kid’shanu b’mitzvotav, vitzivanu l’heetatayf ba-tzizit.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments, and commanded us to wrap ourselves in tzitzit