Get Think Jewish Delivered to your Home or Office
HOME | CONTACT US | DONATE LoginLOGIN Ask the RabbiASK THE RABBI
Chabad.org - Torah, Judaism and Jewish Info Mitzvahs & Traditions
 
Chabad.org » Mitzvahs & Traditions » Tallit and Tzitzit » In Depth » When Do Jewish Boys Begin to Wear Their Tallit?
  Tallit and Tzitzit Basics   Readings   In Depth   Handbook
PrintSend this page to a friendShare this
CommentComment

When Do Jewish Boys Begin to Wear Their Tallit?


The answer to this question really varies depending on your ancestry and/or community custom. Allow me to share some information:

Jewish men and boys traditionally wear a small fringed tallit (lit.: cloak) under their shirts throughout the day. This garment is known as a tallit kattan (a "small" tallit), and even little children – as young as three years of age – are taught to wear this light four-cornered garment.

The tallit worn during prayer is much larger, it is known as a tallit gadol ("large" tallit).

Traditionally, Eastern European Jewish men begin wearing a tallit gadol for the daily prayers after marriage. Customarily the tallit is a gift from the bride or her family.

Among Western European and Oriental Jews, boys begin wearing the tallit gadol from the age of Bar Mitzvah or even earlier.

Click here for more on the tallit gadol.

PrintSend this page to a friendShare this
CommentComment

By Menachem Posner   More articles...  |   RSS Listing of Newest Articles by this Author
Rabbi Menachem Posner is a member of the Chabad.org Ask the Rabbi team.

The content on this page is copyrighted by the author, publisher and/or Chabad.org, and is produced by Chabad.org. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you comply with the copyright policy.
 



 


In Depth
What is the significance of the number of coils on the tzitzit?
Is it appropriate for a woman to wear a tallit?
Do I need to let my tzitzit hang out?
When Do Jewish Boys Begin to Wear Their Tallit?
Does a divorcé continue wearing a tallit?
Why do we wear the Tallit only for the morning prayers?
What's Wrong With a Silk Tallit Prayer Shawl?
Showing 4 - 10 of 12

Need A Talit?