---
title: Tallit
author: P. DeMola
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Tallit/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Tallit
_Authored by [P. DeMola](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/saintpaul/)_
The tallit is a garment worn by those of Jewish faith as a symbol of communal solidarity and devotion to their [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/). The foundation for modern Jewish socio-religious concepts is the *Tanakh*, or Hebrew [bible](https://www.worldhistory.org/bible/) which is also the Christian *[Old Testament](https://www.worldhistory.org/Old_Testament/)*. Within it, the first five books of the Masoretic Text (i.e. *Bereʾšyt, Shemot, Vayikra, Bəmidbar, Devarim*), or [Torah](https://www.worldhistory.org/Torah/), are where the Laws, traditions and early history of Hebrew [culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/culture/) are found. It is from here that traditional Israelite (or Israeli) material culture and national unity is originally derived. Principally, the טַלִּית, or tallit, functions as a reminder for Jews to remain constantly devoted to God. Moreover, it is also a symbol of Jewish solidarity within a Gentile world and may be understood through a Jewish/Gentile dichotomy.
However, it should be noted that modern Jewish identity is an extremely complex subject that easily fragmentizes into various yeshivas regarding religious beliefs (e.g. Orthodox, Conservative, Reformed) and political affiliations (e.g. Israeli-Likud, American-Democratic), which are further complicated by national allegiances (e.g. Israeli, Anglo-Jewry), social philosophies (e.g. Religious-Zionism, Socialism) and even genetic research. Simply put, many contemporary Jews do not wear the tallit. Considering the socially sensitive nature of the aforementioned, for the rest of this entry we will refer to 'Hebrews and Jews' and all anthropological interpretations of '[Judaism](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/judaism/)' in the Ultraorthodox context.
### The Four Corners of the Garment
The origin of the tallit can be found in two clauses in *Numbers* 15:37-41 where God ordained the wearing of a 'tassel', ציצית or *tzitzit*, on each of the 'four corners' of a standard 'garment'. Practically speaking, medieval fashion trends frustrated the fulfilling of this commandment by not allowing *tzitzit* to be worn easily on everyday apparel. Consequently, the tallit was designed specifically to fulfill the obligation of wearing the *tzitziyot*. In this light, the tallit acts as a social bridge allowing Jews to function in the modern world (*Cf*. *Deuteronomy* 22:12). However, unlike the religious iconography from other cultures, a *tzitzit* is typically not thought to possess amuletic properties. Materialistically, the cultural significance of *tzitziyot* can only be understood through their tedious production process and by the social construct they signify to others.
For example, a *tzitzit* is fashioned on one of the corners of a tallit by tying seven white linen and one blue, or *t'kheilet*, wool strands of cloth five times for a sum of fifteen. Furthermore, rabbinic tradition fixes the numerical value of ציצית at six hundred. Collectively, the summation of all numbers (five, seven, one and six hundred) is six hundred and thirteen — the exact number of 'commandments' in the Torah. Hence, the Torah itself is immediately signified by the wearing of *tzitziyot*.
An interesting side note is that the special blue *t'kheilet* dye was employed in the sacred vesture of the Levitical High Priest. Given the deferential role the Levite tribe played within Hebrew society, the use of *t'kheilet* by non-Levitical Jews may infer a perception of communal 'holiness' for all Torah observant Jews regardless of tribal affiliation (*Cf*. *Numbers* 18:1-32).
### The Passover in the Tallit
Another meaning for the tallit may be observed through a close examination of Judaic historiography and oral tradition. For example, the Biblical injunction to wear *tzitziyot* is intimately associated with the narrative of the Hebrew period in [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/) and their 'deliverance' (or independence and separation) from [Pharaoh](https://www.worldhistory.org/pharaoh/) (*Numbers* 15:37-41; *Cf*. *Exodus* 12:37-51). Interestingly, these events are commemorated in the spring Feast of Passover, which historically is seen as the first festival (or 'independence day') of the ancient nation-state of [Israel](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Israel/) (*Leviticus* 23:4-5; *Exodus* 12:14, 13:5). Cosmologically, it may be inferred that Pharaonic Egypt is symbolic of ancient 'Gentile globalism' from which a 'Jewish nation' became independent (*Cf*. the Abrahamic rite of covenant in *Genesis* 17:7-16 with its post-[Mosaic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mosaic/) reinstitution in *Joshua* 5:3-5). Thus, a *tzitzit* might also be a sign of ancient Jewish nationalism. That being said, archaeological evidence from the Bar Kokhba Period (CE 132-136) reveals that [Zealots](https://www.worldhistory.org/Zealots/) were wearing *tzitziyot* during their [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) of 'liberation' from [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) occupation.
Fascinatingly, the young Rabbi [Jesus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Jesus_Christ/) from Nazareth, whose life would spark one of the great world religions, wore a tallit as he preached 'deliverance' to the inhabitants of Roman [Palestine](https://www.worldhistory.org/palestine/) (Iudaea) (*[Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Mark/)* 9:5; *Luke* 4:18). This is evidenced by the use of κράσπεδον when referencing the 'hem' (corner) of Christ's garment in *Mathew* 9:20 and 14:36. Κράσπεδον is the ancient [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) translation for *tzitzit*. Such a fact reminds one of the historical bonds between Jewish traditions and [early Christianity](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1205/early-christianity/). More importantly, it underscores the shared sociocultural structure in the religious messaging of both faiths. In summary, it may be argued that the contemporary tallit and *tzitzit* are a microcosmic diffusion of Hebrew faith, Jewish history, Levantine customs and Israeli nationalism. Thus, the sacred custom of wearing tallit publically may be viewed as a justifiable exercise in auto-segregation arising from a conscientious objection to the secularism of postmodern globalism.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
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- [Fields, H.J. *Torah Commentary for Our Times.* New York: Urj Press, 1990.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0807403083/)
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- [Green, Jr, J.P. *The Interlinear Hebrew-Aramaic Old Testament.* Peabody: Hendrickson, 1985.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B001YFHF62/)
- [Gunther Plaut, W. *The Torah.* New York: Union for Reform Judaism, 2005.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0807408832/)
- [Liss, J. *Etz Hayim Study Companion.* New York: The Rabbinical Assembly, 2005.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0827608225/)
- [Matthews, R. *Peoples and Complex Societies of Ancient Southwest Asia. In C. Scarre (Ed.), The Human Past: World Prehistory and the Development of Human Socieities.* London: Thames & Hudson, 2009, 432-471.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500287813/)
- [Renfrew, C. and Paul Bahn. *Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice.* London: Thames and Hudson, 2013.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B002ZUGV4W/)
- [Ricker Berry, G. *Interlinear Greek-English New Testament.* Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1981.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0801007003/)
- [Tet-Lim N. Yee. *Jews, Gentiles and Ethnic Reconciliation.* Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0521838312/)
## Cite This Work
### APA
DeMola, P. (2013, June 03). Tallit. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
DeMola, P.. "Tallit." *World History Encyclopedia*, June 03, 2013. .
### MLA
DeMola, P.. "Tallit." *World History Encyclopedia*, 03 Jun 2013, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [P. DeMola](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/saintpaul/ "User Page: P. DeMola"), published on 03 June 2013. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.