Choosing a White-Striped Tallit

Because we offer a wide selection of white-striped tallitot, often our customers have a hard time deciding which is best. They all look pretty much the same online. This week we received a typical question on the difference between the various white-on-white tallits for sale.

Are you able to give any more information to help me with choosing between the following white-on-white tallits?
1. Beit Yosef
2. Prima A.A. White Stripes
3. Hamefoar White Nonslip Tallit

They all seem much of a likeness to me. I am Moroccan Jewish if in any way that can help with my choice?

Thanks, Andrew H.

First I explained to Andrew that his family origins are not really consequential in buying a tallit. All Sephardic Jews tie the tzitzit the same way (except some Iraqi Jews who follow the Ben Ish Chai and a small number of Sephardim who tie 10-5-6-5 on their tallit gadol instead of 7-8-11-13).

Really the decision is just a matter of aesthetics and personal preference.

Prima A.A. - This is the white-striped tallit you probably have seen fairly frequently. The striping and atara (neckband) are shiny.

Hamefoar - This tallit has the same striping and atara, but the fabric has subtle texturing to it. This texturing gives it a slightly more supple feel and helps the tallit stay in place on your shoulders a little better.

Beit Yosef - This tallit has matte striping, on the the tallit, the atara and the corners, which lends it a very subtle, understated beauty. The vast majority of tallitot, including Prima A.A. and Hamefoar, have a synthetic atara with a shiny leaf and diamond design, whereas the Beit Yosef has a wool atara with integrated striping. The striping on the tallit, the atara and the corners is not a different material added on, but an integral part of the weave itself.