tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38290045871610923632024-02-20T17:05:54.872-08:00Tallit & Tefillin TipsExpert advice for tallit, tzitzit and tefillin buyersBen G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-5654493817687819092023-05-31T04:02:00.000-07:002023-05-31T04:02:32.496-07:00DryFit Tzitzit for Soldiers<p> Over a decade ago, during Operation Pillar of Defense, we worked with Rabbi Yedidya Atlas to help provide free tzitzit for IDF soldiers. We set up a donation page on our website and some people donated one or two tzitzit, some 10 or 15 and one donor foot the bill for 50.</p><p>I remember back then Rabbi Atlas was raving about the product. He said even some non-religious soldiers were wearing them, and considered them akin to a bulletproof vest.</p><p>Back then I couldn't figure out why he wanted DryFit instead of cotton, but now I realize that not only does it spare the soldiers from having to wash them all the time, but also is much more durable.</p><p>According to <a href="https://en.yhb.org.il/tzizit-on-a-synthetic-garment/" target="_blank">a blog post</a> on the Yeshiva Har Bracha site, regular tzitzit were not holding up well in field conditions.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Assistant, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px;"></p><blockquote>Most of the <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">tzitzit</span> currently distributed in the army are from dri-fit fabric, which is a synthetic fabric woven by special technology, and used to make sports activity clothing. Its main advantage is that it is aerated and evaporates sweat, and therefore, is comfortable and pleasing to soldiers, and serves both as an undershirt, and a <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">tallit katan</span>.</blockquote><p></p><p></p><blockquote><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Assistant, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px;">These <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">tzitziot</span> arrived to the army with the help of Rabbi Yedidya Atlas (IDF Rabbi, res.). During Operation Pillar of Defense, when the soldiers spent long days in the field unable to wash or change clothes, sweat eroded the <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">tzitziyot</span>, and the army had to dispose of 10,000 <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">tzitziyot</span>. It was then that the initiative was made to produce <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">talitot katanot</span> from dri-fit.</p></blockquote><h4 style="text-align: left;">Olive Drab <a href="https://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/army-green-tzitzit-army/" target="_blank">DryFit Tzitzit</a> for soldiers</h4>Ben G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-30906634467921097372020-11-09T13:12:00.002-08:002020-11-09T13:25:56.849-08:00Modern challah covers by Israeli fabric artists<p>Typically velvet challah covers employ very traditional conservative designs, although in recent years glued-on decorative elements have become popular, adding a bit of flare. </p><p>In contrast, <a href="https://challah-cover.com/collections/contemporary-challah-covers">modern challah covers</a> are typically made of cotton/polyester cloth, raw silk or silk. A white base color is most common, but you will also find plenty of contemporary designs with dark base colors. </p><p>In recent years, challah cover makers, such as A.N.A.E.L and Gamuza, have introduced leather and linen into their repertoire. Both tend to feature much simpler - even start - designs with only two or three colors. It's a bit hard to say whether they should be classified as "classic" or "modern." </p><p>Probably the widest selection of modern challah covers is made by Yair Emanuel Judaica. Their collection includes silk, raw silk, faux leather and linen. Almost all of the designs can safely be considered modern.</p><p>Other Israeli designers include Ronit Gur, Dorit Judaica, Barbara Shaw, Jordana Klein, Goren Judaica and hundreds of small artisans featured on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/il-en/market/challah_cover">Etsy</a>.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wN7fSY_l93g/X6mv4gp2FdI/AAAAAAAAA54/KF4qBMcKzJMWWg8U4MsxWu8xJPX93N30gCNcBGAsYHQ/s472/Emanuel_Challah_cover_CME3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Modern challah cover by Yair Emanuel" border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="472" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wN7fSY_l93g/X6mv4gp2FdI/AAAAAAAAA54/KF4qBMcKzJMWWg8U4MsxWu8xJPX93N30gCNcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/Emanuel_Challah_cover_CME3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-1658946828095818582019-05-12T02:50:00.000-07:002019-05-12T02:55:24.924-07:00Talitnia Traditional Wool Tallit Prayer Shawl<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you spent some time comparing prices of traditional wool tallits made by Talitnia (a.k.a. Talitania) you might start to get a sense of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">déjà vu</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Haven't I seen the exact same product description elsewhere? Weren't those the same options?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The reason is because at least three of the leading Israel-based Judaica stores are under the same ownership. In fact, if you go to aJudaica and Canaan-Online Judaica, take a look at the mini-logo at for the website tab at the top of your browser and you'll see that they have the exact same stylized J logo. They also operate a third micro-niche site called Tallit.biz. They also have the same product listed on their Amazon store, but at a higher price.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lg8ohcgqib0/XNfrcm_NGgI/AAAAAAAAAoo/60qNXOFMI-QDO81zSbYqnffhAp08jnVdACLcBGAs/s1600/blue_silver_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Traditional 100% Wool Prayer Shawl made by Talitnia" border="0" data-original-height="957" data-original-width="850" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lg8ohcgqib0/XNfrcm_NGgI/AAAAAAAAAoo/60qNXOFMI-QDO81zSbYqnffhAp08jnVdACLcBGAs/s320/blue_silver_1.jpg" title="Talitnia Traditional Wool Tallit" width="284" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talitania Traditional Wool Tallit</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now look at the prices for any of their traditional wool tallits (blue-silver stripes, blue-gold stripes, black-silver, black-gold, etc.) and you'll see that the prices are almost, but not quite, identical. (Be sure you're comparing the same size.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Their price is at actually quite competitive, but it's slightly lower at one of their competitors, <a href="https://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/wool-tallit-traditional/" target="_blank">Ben's Tallit Shop</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Is this Traditional Wool Tallit a good deal? Actually at around $90 for the size 60 (which is considered a Medium), it is a good value. Talitnia has been making tallits for a century (!) and they do a good job. If you're looking for almost the same striping with a slightly higher quality weave, you might want to consider the Prima A.A. Both Talitnia and their leading competitor, Mishkan Hatchelet, make it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In general, when shopping for a traditional wool tallit in the lower and medium price ranges, keep in mind that if it has only black, white or blue striping (no gold or silver pinstripes), the atara (neckband) will have a quiet, satiny design with no letters, whereas if the striping is black-silver, the atara will be black-silver with the Tzitzit Blessing embroidered on it, if the striping is blue-silver, the atara will be blue-silver, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The white-on-white, white-silver and white-gold tend to be more commonly found among Sephardic Jews, but that's not a hard and fast rule.</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-38621759412540805912019-02-14T14:11:00.001-08:002019-02-14T14:11:22.880-08:00Do you measure tallit katan shiur from the bottom of the slit or the top?<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In a recent order a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">customer intended to select t-neck but accidentally selected round neck. He didn't notice his mistake until the order had already been delivered to him.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don't know if was any consolation, but told him that personally I'm in favor of <a href="https://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/tallit-katan-tzitzit/" target="_blank">round neck tzitzit (i.e. tallit katan)</a> and switched to it about a year ago. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">For a tallit katan to be kosher (i.e. to fulfill the mitzvah of tzitzit) it has to have a minimum size requirement. To meet that requirement isn't always such a simple matter. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">One solution is to create a slit along the front, so that you can have a relatively small neck opening (without the slit you wouldn't be able to put it on). If you do that, and you want to measure the <i>beged</i> from top to bottom to ensure it meets the minimum size requirement, how do you measure it? From the bottom of the slit or the bottom of the neck opening.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most people will tell you that you can measure from the bottom of the slit, and consider it as if it's closed, just like a button-up shirt is considered whole in front. But some <i>poskim</i> do not agree, and I think I have some very strong practical evidence to back that.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">After a short time of wear, just about any tallit katan with a slit in front starts to lay down permanently, like lapels, and form a deep crease. So if you now have a tallit katan with "lapels," why should you count that as if it's closed?</span>Ben G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-64579356415503651232018-12-14T00:35:00.001-08:002018-12-14T00:35:17.596-08:00Talitnia Hermonit Tallit<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-78164/images/stencil/1280x1280/products/668/2905/Ohr_LtBlue_02__86498.1452784794.jpg?c=2" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="711" height="200" src="https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-78164/images/stencil/1280x1280/products/668/2905/Ohr_LtBlue_02__86498.1452784794.jpg?c=2" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hermont Tallit with Light Blue Stripes</td></tr>
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Talitnia, probably the world's longest standing tallit manufacturer, has a tallit marketed in Israel under the name Hermon and a second tallit marketed under the name Hermonit, both references to the tallest mountain in Israel, Mt. Hermon in the Golan Heights, which has a small ski resort.<br />
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The Tallit Hermon is available in four different colors, including one with <a href="https://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/mount-tabor-tallit/" target="_blank">burgundy-gray striping</a>. The Hermonit is available with sky blue striping, blue-gray and royal blue, all shown <a href="https://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/blue-stripes/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Mishkan Hatchelet makes similar tallits called Tashbetz, which are extremely popular <a href="https://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/nonslip-tallit/" target="_blank">nonslip designs</a>.Ben G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-55981290391918513572018-12-14T00:04:00.002-08:002018-12-14T00:04:36.704-08:00Tallit, tzitzit and tefillin: The basic essentials<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I get dozens of inquiries per week, but today I received some questions from a recent Jewish convert who wanted to learn everything about tallit, tzitzit and tefillin standing on one foot!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Shalom- I am so hoping that you will be able to help me sort all of this out!! We are a newly-converted Conservative family. I have found many Ashkenazim on my family tree. My husband's family is entirely from the Sephardic tradition. My 28 yr old son has also converted. I’m in a tallit, tzitzit and tefillin nightmare. I was okay on outfitting them and getting kippot and turning our home into an observant one, but I can’t make heads or tails out of what my 60 yr old left-handed hubby needs or my right-handed 28 yr old. My husband is 6 foot tall. My son is 6’4. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I can’t figure out which Tefillin and which Tzitzits. I bought some at a Jewish bookstore - they are just plain white t-shirt material with the knotted white strings. They want one with blue...but I’m lost. I don’t want to buy the Tefillin for them on Amazon because everyone says they are not Kosher and these are so important, on the other hand I don’t know whether to buy Sephardic or Ashkenazi. Can you please help me?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I explained to her that she</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> should get in touch with a qualified Orthodox rabbi. I am certainly not a rabbi, but I have studied the halachas related to tzitzit and some related to tefillin. I have a lot of expertise in the area of tallits and tzitzit, and some knowledge of tefillin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm posting my reply in full, not just for converts, but because other Jews often have a whole lot of questions on these subjects:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I agree that the tefillin sold for under $200 on Amazon look quite dubious. I know one of the big Amazon sellers, who's based here in Israel. He's observant, and I've always wondered how he can sell tefillin with such questionable kashrut. Apparently he feels that if he adds a "disclaimer" regarding the kashrus, he's covered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ashkenazi or Sephardic? It's widely accepted that families follow the husband/father's custom. I'm Ashkenazi and my wife is Sephardic, and our practices and prayers are all according to Ashkenazi customs (although one of my teenage boys seems to be rebelling and "converting" to Sephardic customs). However, that rule of thumb is sometimes a bit different when it comes to converts. You really should discuss it with a rabbi (so again, where do you live?).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once you know whether you should be following Ashkenazi or Sephardic, it gets easier. People get confused ordering tefillin because if you're right-handed you wear tefillin on your left hand, and vice-versa. To avoid any possibility of confusion, on our website you select "I am right-handed" or "I am left-handed." If figured that leaves no room for uncertainty, but I was wrong: a few weeks ago a customer wrote, "I am right-handed, and so I wear tefillin on my left hand. Which option should I choose?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next is tallit sizing. In conservative congregations you'll see that some people wear a narrow tallit resting on their neck with all four corners hanging in front (size 24 or 36), while others wear a larger tallit, traditional-style, draping down the back with two corners in front and two in back (sizes 45, 50, 55, 60, 70, 80). My guess is that you'll husband will want a size 70, but I could be wrong. Refer to our <a href="https://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/tallit-sizes/" style="color: #1155cc;">Tallit Size Wizard</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now for tzitzit. The Torah says you must put tzitzit on your four-cornered garments. Besides a tallit worn in synagogue ("tallit gadol") many people wear a "tallit katan" in order to keep the mitzvah all day. These may be made of wool or cotton (see <a href="http://www.tallit-shop.com/cotton-wool-tzitzit-quandries/" style="color: #1155cc;">here</a> and <a href="http://www.tallit-shop.com/4-reasons-fo-wool-tallit-katan/" style="color: #1155cc;">here</a>). My guess is that the type you bought at the local Jewish bookstore are the ones we sell on <a href="https://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/perftzitz-tallis-katan/" style="color: #1155cc;">this page</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A note on terminology: a tzitzit garment is called a tallit katan (or tallis katan) or arba kanfos, but some people will simply say tzitzit, i.e. if they say "I need to buy new tzitzit" they probably mean they want a new tallit katan (including the tzitzit), not just a set of tzitzit strings to tie themselves. This leads to some confusion. Online you'll find "cotton tzitzit," which really means a cotton tallit katan with wool tzitzit strings, and "wool tzitzit," which really means a wool tallit katan with wool tzitzit strings. (Today about 99% of all kosher tzitzit strings produced are made of wool.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next question is what tzitzit do you put on the garment (sometimes referred to as the "<i>beged</i>")? Most cotton tallit katan garments come with machine-spun tzitzit tied Ashkenazi as the default option. This is definitely the least expensive option, but a lot of people upgrade the tzitzit to hand-spun thin, medium or thick. If you want them tied according to any tying custom other than Ashkenazi, that can only be done with <a href="http://www.tallit-shop.com/kosher-tzitzit-strings-lishma/" style="color: #1155cc;">hand-spun tzitzit</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then a lot of people want to go with blue tzitzit ("techelet" or "tekhelet"). This is what the Torah requires, beyond any doubt, as stated very clearly in the third paragraph of Kriat Shema. For many centuries the <i>masora</i> (tradition) for the proper dye was lost. Over the past 50 years or so a lot of work was done to uncover the proper dye and there is a wide consensus that <i>Murex trunculus</i> (almost always produced by a company called Ptil Tekhelet) is the correct dye. However, you'll still see that most people have all-white tzitzit. How can that be? That's a loaded question. In my opinion, simply because people are slow to change -- which is good, because it helps ensure that Jewish tradition gets handed down faithfully through the generations. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is also a blue dye produced from cuttlefish called Radzyn Techelet. In recent years fewer and fewer people hold that this is the correct dye.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Techelet is expensive! If it's important to you and you want Ptil Tekhelet, ask me for some tips on how to make it affordable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I realize this is a whole lot of information to absorb all at once. You might want to print out this email and some of the links, and go through it on Shabbat with your family. Don't think that most Jews know all this stuff! Many know very little about tzitzit, techelet, tefillin, etc. and have a whole lot of questions when they set out to make purchases.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Based on your time and energy, here are some more links you might find useful. Shabbat Shalom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some <a href="http://www.tallit-shop.com/sitemap/" style="color: #1155cc;">300 (!!) blog articles on tallit, tzitzit, tefillin etc. >></a> </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<a href="https://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/tefillin/" style="color: #1155cc;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buy tefillin >></span></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<a href="https://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/wool-talit-katan/" style="color: #1155cc;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buy wool tallit katan >></span></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<a href="https://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/tallit-katan-tzitzit/" style="color: #1155cc;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buy cotton tallit katan >></span></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<a href="https://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/wool-tallit-traditional/" style="color: #1155cc;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buy a traditional wool tallit >></span></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<a href="https://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/techelet-tzitzit-tying-customs/" style="color: #1155cc;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Techelet tzitzit tying options >></span></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the discovery of the techelet dye:</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f8fcff; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454;"><a href="http://www.tekhelet.com/pdf/HistoryMesorahNignaz.pdf" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1473e6; line-height: inherit; transition: color 0.15s ease 0s;" target="_blank" title="History, Mesorah, Nignaz">History, Mesorah, Nignaz</a> by Mois Navon</span><br style="background-color: #f8fcff; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454;" /><span style="background-color: #f8fcff; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454;"><a href="http://www.tekhelet.com/MANFAQ1/faq.php?answer=105&cat_name=Tekhelet%20Questions&category_id=2#105" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #308dff; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; outline: 0px; transition: color 0.15s ease 0s;" target="_blank" title="Radzin Techelet">Ptil Tekhelet on Radzyn techelet</a> by Mois Navon</span><br style="background-color: #f8fcff; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454;" /><span style="background-color: #f8fcff; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454;"><a href="http://judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/13179/fake-techelet-invalidating-the-entire-tzitzit" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1473e6; line-height: inherit; transition: color 0.15s ease 0s;" target="_blank" title="Fake Techelet">Fake Techelet</a> - forum string at Mi Yodeya</span><br style="background-color: #f8fcff; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454;" /><span style="background-color: #f8fcff; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454;"><a href="http://tekhelet.com/pdf/TekheletThreadsOfReason.pdf" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1473e6; line-height: inherit; transition: color 0.15s ease 0s;" target="_blank" title="Tekhelet - Threads of Reason">Tekhelet – Threads of Reason</a> by Mois Navon</span><br style="background-color: #f8fcff; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454;" /><span style="background-color: #f8fcff; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454;"><a href="http://www.begedivri.com/techelet/MendelSinger.pdf" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1473e6; line-height: inherit; transition: color 0.15s ease 0s;" target="_blank" title="Criteria for the Chilazon">Understanding the Criteria for the Chilazon</a> by Dr. Mendel Singer<a href="http://www.baruchsterman.com/Essays/SingerResponse.pdf" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1473e6; line-height: inherit; transition: color 0.15s ease 0s;" target="_blank" title="Response to Criteria for the Chilazon"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Response to Understanding the Criteria for the Chilazon </a>by Dr. Baruch Sternman<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><a href="http://www.tekhelet.com/pdf/EpsteinM.pdf" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1473e6; line-height: inherit; transition: color 0.15s ease 0s;" target="_blank" title="Has Techelet Been Found?">Has Techelet Been Found?</a> by Menachem Epstein</span> </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Ben G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-14186825308691340392018-12-09T05:57:00.000-08:002018-12-09T05:57:58.297-08:00Canaan Online vs. aJudaicaOur headline is a bit ironic because, well, Canaan Online and aJudaica are one and the same. aJudaica is among the most veteran Judaica web stores on the Internet. They started out as a smallish STaM shop in Bnei Brak and did quite well online.<br />
<br />
To expand their reach, they opened other micro-niche Judaica web stores, including MyShofar and Tefillin Store (www.tefillin.biz) and Tallit.biz.<br />
<br />
Then a few years ago they bought out a successful competitor and changed the name to Canaan Online. So while searching for a certain Judaica product you might get various results on different web stores with almost the same price and almost the same product description -- because they are all being offered by the same company (Peer HaStam).<br />
<br />
Take, for example, the Gilboa Tallit. If you do a search for "Gilboa Tallit" you'll find it on a half-dozen web stores:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>JudaicaWebStore.com</li>
<li>Canaan-Online.com</li>
<li>Tefillin.biz</li>
<li>aJudaica.com</li>
<li>Tallit.biz</li>
<li>tzitzit.tallit-shop</li>
</ul>
<br />
The first web store on the list is more expensive (and may also be owned by Peer HaStam). The last web store on the list offers the Gilboa Tallit at an affordable price, similar to the "conglomerate," but specializes in tallit and tzitzit sales (<a href="http://tallit-shop.com/" target="_blank">Ben's Tallit Shop</a>), therefore it offers more options and better service. Ben G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-61225958695338196892018-04-24T02:19:00.002-07:002018-04-24T02:26:45.158-07:00Talitnia Traditional Tallit 100% WoolOn Amazon I came across a product headed "Talitnia Traditional Tallit 100% Wool." The price was good, but it's not such a great find for several reasons:<br />
<ul>
<li>If you have the patience to wait a week or two for shipping from Israel, it's advertised on Ben's Tallit Shop for about the same price.</li>
<li>If you order it there, the product page includes an option for a matching bag for just $12.50.</li>
<li>Ben's Tallit Shop offers various other tzitzit options, such as hand-spun, thick and techelet (blue). </li>
<li>If you don't want just black striping, you can find the exact same Talitania Traditional Wool Tallit with black-silver striping or black-gold striping.</li>
</ul>
Go to <a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/black-stripes/">Talitnia Traditional Wool Tallit>></a><br />
<br />
Note that the black-striped version has an atara (neckband) with a subtle diamond and leaf pattern, whereas the black-silver and black-gold have the Tzitzit Blessing embroidered on the atara.<br />
<div>
</div>
Ben G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-13153456961220708622018-03-11T22:37:00.002-07:002019-01-03T13:58:10.545-08:00Sephardic Tzitzit: Should I tie 10-5-6-5 or 7-8-11-13?Almost always, Sephardim will tie the tzitzit on their tallit gadol with 7-8-9-11 windings (sometimes known as "Tal"). On a tallit katan, about half tie 7-8-11-13 and half 10-5-6-5. Here's a question from a tallit buyer in Los Angeles.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I have one last question (maybe). I'm an Iranian Jew and I was wondering
how do we tie tzitzit, on tallit katan and gadol. I'm pretty sure that
on a tallit katan we tie 10-5-6-5 with the spine/ridge/etc..</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<div>
I have been talking with a few of the people I know recently and they
sparked a new thought in my mind. Before this I was almost sure that
both tallit katan and gadol were tied using 10-5-6-5 with the ridge.
Then one of the guys who I was talking with said I should do 7-8-11-13
with the ridge. I felt kind of ashamed because I had 10-5-6-5 with the
ridge on my tallit. Afterwards I realized that the two people I was
talking with were from not from were my parents/grand-parents. </div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
So pretty much my question is do Iranian Jews tie 10-5-6-5 with the ridge on both tallit katan an gadol?</blockquote>
Sorry, but I'm not familiar with different Sephardic customs. The most
common custom is 10-5-6-5 on a tallit katan and 7-8-11-13 on a tallit
gadol. Some do 7-8-11-13 on their tallit katan as well. Doing 10-5-6-5
on a tallit gadol is quite rare, but not unheard of. I have heard that this is the custom among Persian Jews, but I have never seen it in writing.<br />
<br />
And even if there
isn't, if you ask me, it's not such a terrible crime. The main halachot pertaining to tzitzit are where the hole is placed, how long the tzitzit
are, etc. Tying customs are much less critical.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_807107988"><span id="goog_807107989"></span>Sephardic Tallit >><span id="goog_807107990"></span></a></h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><br />Ben G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-6841285814344521162018-03-11T11:52:00.001-07:002018-03-11T22:32:37.854-07:00Selecting tefillin parchments: A guide for online tefillin buyersWhen buying a set of tefillin online, you may see several different levels of parchments to choose from. What's the difference between the various quality levels of tefillin parchments? Here's a question we received today from France on that topic.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Dear Sirs,<br />
what are the differences among the parchments you can choose to order tefilins on your website?<br />
Best regards,<br />
Yossef</blockquote>
<br />
As we explained to Yossef, there are hundreds of complicated halachic issues related to writing parchments for tefillin, mezuzahs or a Sefer Torah (a field known as STaM). To be considered kosher, the writing must meet certain standards. For example, letters must not touch or be written out of order (i.e. you cannot go back and add a forgotten letter).<br />
<br />
To become a <i>sofer</i> (one who writes the parchments) you must invest at least a year or two in study and training. But among those who become a qualified sofer, the caliber of their writing may vary considerably. Some write very quickly to provide mezuzahs or tefillin that are very affordable, while meeting the minimum requirements. Others write very slowly and carefully, so that their writing is beautiful (not unlike calligraphy).<br />
<br />
And even among those who try to create beautiful writing, there are different levels of talent. Of course experience helps improve the level of writing, but in addition, it depends to some extent on one's G-d given talent. One sofer with five years experience may be able to write a more beautiful mezuzah than another sofer with 15 years experience.<br />
<br />
Thus a sofer's work is graded by expert STaM buyers who know how to set the right value for their work.<br />
<br />
The Torah tells us, <i>Zeh Keli v'anveihu</i>, which <i>Chazal</i> explain means we should strive to fulfill mitzvahs in a aesthetically beautiful way. When you do the mitzvah of tzitzit, tie the tzitzit on a beautiful tallit or tallit katan. And when you do the mitzvah of mezuzah, write a beautiful parchment and use a beautiful mezuzah case. And when you do <a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/tefillin/">the mitzvah of tefillin</a>, make the finishing work on the boxes beautiful and the writing on the parchments inside beautiful, etc.<br />
<br />
As you can imagine, the quality of the writing of tefillin parchments has a significant impact on the final price of a given set of tefillin.Ben G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-69856606294991446202018-03-11T11:34:00.001-07:002018-03-11T11:34:14.335-07:00Length of Tzitzit StringsThe standard lengths for tzitzit strings, whether regular handspun tzitzit or <i>niputz lishmah</i>, is as follows:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>thin - 50 cm</li>
<li>medium - 55 cm</li>
<li>thick - 60 cm</li>
</ul>
<br />
That means when tied, from the first knot down to the tips will typically come out to 50 cm, etc.<br />
<br />
Recently Mishkan Hatchelet started making a lot of different lengths. Normally various lengths are available for <i>niputz lishmah</i> tzitzit, as well, namely<br />
<ul>
<li>thin - 50 cm, 70 cm</li>
<li>thick - 60 cm, 70 cm, 80 cm</li>
</ul>
All of the above can be found <a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/tzitzit-strings-techelet/">here</a>. <br />
<br />
Nowadays it seems many people are under the impression that longer strings are more kosher, but that's not the case! In fact, according to the Rishonim, your tzitzit should be one-third tied, two-thirds loose. With most all-white tzitzit tying customs (e.g. Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Chabad) as well as most techelet tzitzit tying customs (with the notable exception of HaRav Schachter's approach) that means <a href="http://www.tallit-shop.com/can-you-cut-tzitzits/">the total length of the tzitzit is relatively short</a>.Ben G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-91246231142053302342015-01-18T08:15:00.001-08:002018-06-27T03:50:44.703-07:00A note on heavyweight and lightweight tallit fabrics<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">People often ask about how thin or thick a tallit is, to make sure it's suitable for their local climate. Yesterday we received the following inquiry from a woman who wanted to buy a tallit for her husband.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I would
like to order the Prima A.A. black-striped tallit as a gift for my husband's birthday. Could you
explain the different thicknesses for us to make a choice? He seems to
feel that the thin would be too lightweight. We live in the US, in a
Virginia suburb of Washington, DC. <br />
Gayle W.</span></blockquote>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Usually
we get the opposite request, e.g., "I live in Florida. It's hot and steamy
here. I need a lightweight tallit." So I point him to the Tashbetz,
Bareket or Kalil.</span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
</div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But
when it's cold, the truth is that a heavy tallit is not going to keep you warmer than a
standard weight tallit. However, some people just like to feel the
weight of the tallit on their shoulders. I'm one of them, so my Shabbos
tallit is a bit thick and heavy. It takes up more space when folded, but
I can live with that.</span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In Gayle's case, I recommended she go with one of the following options:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/wool-tallit-black-stripes/" target="_blank">Prima A.A.</a> with a lining and maybe sidebands. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/kmo-turkish/" target="_blank">Kmo Turkish</a>, which comes with lining and sidebands standard. The tallit fabric is a bit heavier that the Prima A.A.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/hamefoar-tallit/" target="_blank">Hamefoar Prestige</a>,
which is the same as the Kmo Turkish, but with a slightly textured
fabric that helps the tallit stay in place on the shoulders and has a
nice, supple feel.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The <a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/echt-turkish/" target="_blank">Echt Turkish</a>
is super heavy tallit, but it's definitely not for everyone. The fabric
is fairly stiff and the fringes (not the tzitzit, the fringes) are
interlaced.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">You might also want to refer to this <a href="http://www.tallit-shop.com/tallit-comparison-lightweight-or-thick-tallit/">tallit weight comparison table</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thinking of <a href="https://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/shofar/" target="_blank">buying a shofar</a>? </span></div>
Ben G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-9424069892180738562014-12-08T05:31:00.000-08:002014-12-08T05:31:26.288-08:00Sport Strings vs. Sport TzitzitIf you're a big Tamir Goodman fan and you need tzitzit that perform well on the court, on the playing field, while running or cycling, then you'll probably want to order Sport Strings.<br />
<br />
But if you don't need the name Tamir Goodman on the Sport Strings label, you might want to consider <a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/sport-tzitzit/">Sport Tzitzit</a>. Even after you pay the $5-$10 for shipping from Israel, you'll be saving a whole lot of money. Also, Sport Tzitzit come with a number of different tzitzit options.<br />
<br />
The fabric has been used extensively by IDF soldiers. Thousands of the same tzitzit, in army green instead of white, have been supplied to the IDF, and received rave reviews for their wicking properties and durability under tough field conditions.Ben G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-32155046308223433942014-12-07T01:05:00.000-08:002018-03-11T22:33:28.612-07:00Wool tallit with blue stripesIf you want a traditional tallit, unless you're on a shoestring budget, make sure it's wool. A wool tallit looks nicer, lasts longer, feels better and is considered superior from a halachic standpoint.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Many Sephardim have a custom of wearing a white-striped tallit, Ashkenazi traditionalists will stick with black stripes, but the blue-striped wool tallit is also very common. In fact, according to some opinions, originally the tallit had blue stripes, which later morphed to black.<br />
<br />
A blue-striped tallit with silver pinstripes is definitely very popular, although some people prefer gold pinstripes and others want blue striping with nothing else.<br />
<br />
The standard blue-striped tallit often comes with a simple white <i>atara</i> (neckband), whereas blue-gold and blue-silver tallits, which are considered slightly more modern, come with the Tzitzit Blessing on the atara. <br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Go to <a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/black-stripes/" target="_blank">Black-Striped Tallits>></a></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Go to <a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/white-stripe-tallit/" target="_blank">White-Striped Tallits>></a></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Go to <a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/blue-stripes/" target="_blank">Blue-Striped Tallits>></a></h4>
Ben G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-14143109421954979282014-11-30T07:12:00.001-08:002014-11-30T07:12:19.460-08:00On tzitzit material and techelet<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This week we received an inquiry from someone in the U.S. Air Force. It sounds like he cherishes the mitzvah of tzitzit.</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6666cc;"><span style="color: black;"><div class="gmail_default" style="display: inline;">
I work on an air force base and wonder if you deliver to APO? Also, I
would like to order some Sephardic and Yemenite tzitzit of different
material. According to halacha, what material is appropriate (i.e. I use wool
since it is cold where I live)? </div>
</span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6666cc;"><span style="color: black;"><div class="gmail_default" style="display: inline;">
Also, I do not know how to tie knots and
would like my knots regardless of tallit style tied in the Yemenite
fashion, with the techelet tzitzit. Is this possible? Also, is the techelet
you use made from the <i>chilazon</i>?</div>
</span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="gmail_default">
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6666cc;"><span style="color: black;"><div class="gmail_default" style="display: inline;">
Thank you, Yosef Eliyahu </div>
</span></span><br /><span style="color: #6666cc;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6666cc;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span><div>
<div class="gmail_signature">
<div dir="ltr">
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6666cc;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Yes, we do ship to APO addresses. In fact, we even offer a special 10% discount for Jewish soldiers serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Use coupon code JIG5689.<br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">According
to all opinions, wool is the ideal fabric. Many (including the <i>Shulchan
Aruch</i>) hold that if you use cotton, you are only fulfilling the mitzvah
of tzitzit at the Rabbinical level (<i>d'Rabbanan</i>), not according to Torah law (<i>d'oreita</i>).<br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you do not know how to tie Yemenite tzitzit, you're not alone. It takes a bit of work to figure it out. We made <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B1p9dipyaA">an instructional video</a>,
but it's still challenging if you don't have someone to correct your
mistakes. Only a small minority of our customers ask us to leave the
tzitzit for them to tie.<br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The
Gemara says the techelet dye must come from a <i>chilazon</i>. There is a bit
of debate surrounding the definition of a chilazon, but today there is
considerable consensus that the chilazon is what we call today the <i>Murex trunculus</i> snail. This is the chilazon used by Ptil Tekhelet. For detailed information on the topic, you can refer to <a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/ptil-tekhelet-and-radzin-techelet-strings/">this page</a>.<span style="color: #6666cc;"><span style="color: black;"><br /><br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="display: inline;">
</div>
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span>Ben G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-9380149571940349802014-11-26T07:45:00.003-08:002018-05-25T04:05:16.127-07:00White-Striped Tallit: Beit Yosef, Malchut, Prima A.A., Hamefoar<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The following is a series of questions and answers from a customer who <a href="http://www.tallit-shop.com/">bought a black-striped tallit</a> from us in the past, and now wants a white-striped tallit for Shabbat. Since the distinctions from one white-on-white tallit to the next are subtle, I felt his insightful questions are worth posting.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Does the Malchut Tallit have a weave similar to the "box" or
"waffle" weave found in Hamefoar, or more like that
found in the Beit Yosef Talit?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">The Malchut Tallit is very similar to HaMefoar. </span><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Is the color of the Malchut more white, or more yellow/cream like the
Beit Yosef Talit?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Both are very slightly off-white.</span><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Are the stripes in the Malchut Tallit flat or shiny?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Matte, not shiny. The Prima A.A. and Hamefoar have shiny stripes.</span><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I don't see an option for adding lining and side bands on the
Malchut or the Beit Yosef, but assume that you can do that. Am I
correct in that assumption?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Of course we can. Just keep in mind that it will add 2-4 days to processing time.</span><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Can you confirm the dimensions of the size 80 for each of those two
tallitot? I'm a big guy, and my weekday tallit is actually a 90,
but it appears that the both are only available up to an 80, so I want
to be sure about the size.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">The Beit Yosef Talit is 170 cm x 200 cm. The Malchut Tallit is 180 cm x 200 cm.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span>Ben G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-21552917196907451572014-11-25T07:34:00.003-08:002014-11-25T07:34:34.898-08:00Are Rambam tzitzit kosher?<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We get a substantial number of orders for tzitzit (especially techelet) tied according to the Rambam, sometimes referred to as Yemenite tzitzit.</span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Recently a customer sent us the following remark:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hi. I
ordered a tzitzit from you with techelet tied Rambam style. A rabbi told
me that it was not kosher because it didn't have 4 knots or
something (I don't know much about the halacha of tzitzit). But it
seems all Rambam strings are tied this way so I'm just wondering if
you could as an expert explain to me how the Rambam style is kosher.
Thanks </span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">At
first I was a bit peeved by the remark the rabbi mentioned above,
but when I calmed down I realized that in the U.S. you are unlikely to ever
see Rambam tzitzit tying. </span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Gemara discusses how to tie tzitzit in Masechet Menachot, in a chapter called <i>Hatchelet</i>. It gives us several guidelines. Probably the most notable are the following:<br /></span></div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The first and last windings must be white</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There must be a minimum of seven chulyot and a maximum of thirteen. </span></li>
</ol>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A <i>chulyah</i> is usually understood to be a group of 3 windings.<br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Rishonim interpret these guidelines in a number of different ways. Examples of many of them can be seen <a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/techelet-tzitzit-tying-customs/">here</a>.<br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Most
of them do have five double knots (not four), but this is not mentioned
in the Gemara. If you open up the Rambam (Hil. Tzitzit, 1, 6-8) you
will see that he makes no mention of any double knots.<br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There
are some Rishonim who say that one double knot is required by Torah
law. Most hold that this is referring to the first double knot closest
to the garment.<br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Can
one rely on the Rambam? Many Yemenite Jews tie their tzitzit according
to the Rambam (i.e. just like the ones we tied for you, except all
white) to this day. In fact, I myself learned to tie Rambam by going to
several Yemenite Jews in my neighborhood, who learned from their father.
Some people claim that many of the traditions handed down by the
Yemenites are the most faithful to the early masorah.<br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://tekhelet.com/tekhelet-tying-faq/">Rabbi Dov Lior holds</a> that techelet should be tied according to the Rambam, regardless of whether you are Yemenite, Sephardic or Ashkenazi.<br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Ben G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-47222022858635086732014-11-23T06:38:00.003-08:002014-11-26T04:14:44.752-08:00A few words on tefillin prices<h1 class="art-postheader">
</h1>
<div class="art-postcontent clearfix">
Tefillin
are not cheap. Part of the reason prices are high is because the materials are relatively expensive, but moreover because tefillin production is labor intensive and involves high-level expertise.<br />
<br />
Basically tefillin are made up of three components: the
parchments, the leather boxes that house them and the straps. The difference in cost between mediocre tefillin straps and quality handmade straps is not so significant.<br />
<br />
Very bare-bones, barely kosher parchments cost around
$100-$150. Top quality writing on good calibre parchment can run you $400
or $500. You pay not only for a sofer who is graced with attractive writing,
but also for his reputation as a pious Jew who adheres
carefully to halacha in writing the parchments, and keeps his body and
mind pure throughout the writing process.<br />
<br />
With the <b><i>battim</i></b> (the boxes), you pay for fine leather and good craftsmanship. There are plenty of shortcuts to
take in making the boxes. If you want tefillin that will
last (10-20+ years), you won’t want to buy Tefillin Peshutim, Tefillin
Peshutim Mehudarim or even Tefillin Dakkot. Spend the extra money for Tefillin Gassot, which
are made of super sturdy leather.<br />
<h2>
Bargain Tefillin</h2>
If you are shopping for <b>budget tefillin</b>, sometimes
referred to as bar mitzvah tefillin or Tefillin Peshutim, be aware that
if the tefillin are used on a regular basis, you probably will not wind up saving
money in the long term, because inexpensive tefillin cannot be
reshaped and may start to come undone after a few years of use.<br />
<br />
Still, I realize some people are simply not in a position to
lay down $500. Less expensive tefillin options include <i>tefillin dakkot</i>, <i>tefillin peshutim mehudarim</i> and <i>tefillin peshutim</i>, which range in price from $200 to $400.<br />
<br />
If you are planning to buy tefillin online in this price range, you should be extra careful
to buy from a dealer you can trust to ensure the tefillin you are getting really are reliably kosher. Beware if you come across tefillin for under $200. For
bar mitzvah tefillin or an initial set of inexpensive tefillin, expect to
pay at least $230 if you want to be certain they are really kosher.<br />
<br />
What are “<i>tefillin peshutim</i>?” Tefillin peshutim are made using a simple design. The head tefillin (“<i>tefillin shel rosh</i>“)
is made of several pieces of parchment to form the inner walls, and then
glued within a slit square to divide it into the four required
compartments.<br />
<br />
The next caliber is “<i>tefillin peshutim mehudarim</i>.” Tefillin
peshutim mehudarim can be roughly translated as “superior simple
design.” The boxes are made from a single piece of hide, as required.
When completed, <i>tefillin peshutim mehudarim</i> look almost identical to the more expensive cowhide type, but are less durable.<br />
<br />
The next level up is “<i>tefillin dakkot</i>” (or “<i>dakkos</i>” or “<i>dakkot ohr echad</i>“). “<i>Dak</i>” means thin in Hebrew. <i>Tefillin dakko</i>t are made by stretching a thin layer of parchment over a structural base similar to the <i>peshutim</i>.
This outer parchment forms the entire box of the tefillin, which is
halachically preferable. Because of its thin design the tefillin can
become halachically invalid relatively easily. The quality of the parchments inside is often the same as in tefillin peshutim mehudarim.<br />
<br />
Today tefillin dakkot can
be hard to find. But keep in mind that until 100 years ago all tefillin
were tefillin dakkot.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Tefillin Gassot</h2>
For somebody who lays tefillin daily, tefillin gassot are the way to
go. Have you ever heard the expression "I can't afford to buy cheap"? That can apply to a tefillin purchase as well.<br />
<br />
When I bought tefillin before my oldest son's bar mitzvah, I had a hunch he would take very good care of them, but that still, in the care of a 13-year-old on a daily basis, they were not out of harm's way. Sure enough, somehow the corner got slightly dented within just a few months, but that proved quite simple to repair. <br />
<br />
Good boxes cost $200-$300 and great boxes can cost $500-$600 or more.
Top-end boxes are made with various stringencies (e.g. "<i>ribua regel</i>") that were very
uncommon until the past half century, i.e., they are more
kosher than the tefillin the Chafetz Chaim laid!<br />
<br />
Typical prices for tefillin gassot range from $450 to $750. You can
also find tefillin gassot with exceptionally beautiful parchments
inside, superb craftsmanship and various halachic stringencies in the
construction that will cost you upwards of $1,000.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Where to Buy Tefillin Online</h3>
Here are a few recommendations for reliable places to buy tefillin online from sellers in Israel, based on first-hand knowledge.<br />
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<b><br />HaSofer</b> – Located in downtown Jerusalem. Knowledgeable and reliable staff.<br />
<b>Ben’s Tallit Shop</b> – Located outside Jerusalem in Givat Ze’ev. Affordable prices.<br />
<b>Oter Yisrael</b> – In Jerusalem, straddling Har Nof and Givat Shaul. I bought my first tefillin gassot there 17 years ago.<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<b>Beit El</b> – Located in Beit El, with an outlet store in Jerusalem’s Givat Shaul neighborhood.</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<b></b></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<br /></div>
All of the above online tefillin dealers ship around the world.</div>
Ben G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-45623821905608101052014-08-19T04:32:00.001-07:002014-08-19T04:32:35.626-07:00Blue Strand in Tzitzit<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A customer recently ordered a set of handspun tzitzit. Upon receiving the shipment, he was quite surprised to find all white tzitzit, with no blue strand. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He sent the following inquiry:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My tsitsit arrived today. Is there a reason why blue strands were not included?</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> I was tickled by the innocence of his question. He may have come across various "blue strand tzitzit" products offered by non-Jewish Internet dealers at very low prices, probably made of synthetic or plant dyes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Most Jews do not use techelet," I explained to him. The reason is quite complicated. Instead, the tzitzit are all white. If you go to our <a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/tzitzit-strings-techelet/" target="_blank">Tzitzit Strings</a> page all of the items listed are all white, except for the last two." I sent him there so that he would see that the difference in price between standard all-white tzitzit and techelet tzitzit is very substantial.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But he was not satisfied, and again asked a very innocent sounding question:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But Moses commanded that we are to have a blue strand. Is there a Talmudic explanation for deviating from this? </span></blockquote>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNEcTDXLWVKdyZ3hfc5VVZJTbU3XBOLLBR2eBJ2_fPC0SnkOPQNY7Ti1QrIsVpeQdvVueU_Td1dG93A6eYIdPlLHW7iGWKVpzOW2746Kns6I1nDsFAwEG94s32YhKK5-jaBPViUFYT1V5/s1600/Rambam-4b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Blue Strand" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNEcTDXLWVKdyZ3hfc5VVZJTbU3XBOLLBR2eBJ2_fPC0SnkOPQNY7Ti1QrIsVpeQdvVueU_Td1dG93A6eYIdPlLHW7iGWKVpzOW2746Kns6I1nDsFAwEG94s32YhKK5-jaBPViUFYT1V5/s1600/Rambam-4b.jpg" height="320" title="Techelet Tzitzit - Rambam Tying" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tzitzit with blue strand, Rambam tying custom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In
Talmudic times techelet was still used. But subsequently, during the
turmoil under Roman rule, if I'm not mistaken, the correct source of the
techelet dye was lost. Over the past century various efforts have been
made to recover the lost dye. In recent decades there has been a brisk
debate over the authenticity of the findings. <br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There is a whole lot of material available on the topic. For an initial overview, you might want to take a look at <a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/ptil-tekhelet-and-radzin-techelet-strings/">this page</a>.<br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ptil
Tekhelet has some very convincing claims. In Israel, the ultra-Orthodox
community tends to be very resistant to new changes. Techelet is seen
more frequently within the more modern Orthodox community and in the U.S.</span>Ben G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-13548932409109268272014-07-19T20:55:00.000-07:002014-11-26T06:51:51.304-08:00Size 60 Tallit or Size 70?<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We often get tallit size inquiries. Obviously it's a problem sizing someone for a tallit when he can't try it on. But fortunately, perfect tallit sizing is not critical. Since a tallit is worn loosely, you have some leeway. It's not like buying a t-shirt where you have to get the fit just right.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This week we received an inquiry from someone debating whether to buy a tallit in a size 60 or a size 70.</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think I want to order the blue Prima A.A. Tallit for weekdays and the Malchut Tallit for
Shabbat. Both with thick Ashkenazi tzitzit. I am still worried over whether I
should go with a size 60 or a size 70 tallit. If I get both tallits in a size 60, and I feel they are
too small, can I swap for 70? Thanks, Zach.</span></span></blockquote>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's a good thing Zach asked, because since we are located in Israel, returns and exchanges are
problematic. You have to pay for shipping three time (to you, back
to Israel and again to you) and we do not refund the amount for the
tzitzit we tie on. I suggested to Zach that he try to do either of the following:</span></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />1) Try to find someone with a size 60 tallit or size 70 tallit that you can try on. Remember, the difference between sizes is four inches.</span></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2)
Order the Prima A.A. Tallit in a size 60 and wait until it arrives. Then
decide if you want to go with a size 70 for the Malchut Tallit. It's actually
fairly common to have a slightly bigger tallit for Shabbat. The smaller
size is more practical, the larger size more elegant.</span></span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I told him that that if he wanted to go with the second plan, we could send him a coupon for free shipping on the second tallit.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Go to <a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/tallit-sizes/" target="_blank">Tallit Size Wizard>></a> </b></span></span></div>
Ben G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-37423845653783237582014-07-09T00:39:00.002-07:002014-07-09T00:39:25.839-07:00Choosing a White-Striped Tallit<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Because we offer a wide selection of <a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/white-stripe-tallit/" target="_blank">white-striped tallitot</a>, 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.</span><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Are you able to give any more information to help me with choosing between the following white-on-white tallits?<br />1. Beit Yosef<br />2. Prima A.A. White Stripes<br />3. Hamefoar White Nonslip Tallit<br /><br />They all seem much of a likeness to me. I am Moroccan Jewish if in any way that can help with my choice?<br /><br />Thanks, Andrew H.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">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).<br /></span><br />
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Really the decision is just a matter of aesthetics and personal preference.<br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/Wool-tallit-white-stripes/" target="_blank"><b>Prima A.A.</b></a> - This is the white-striped tallit you probably have seen fairly frequently. The striping and atara (neckband) are shiny.<br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/white-talit-non-slip/" target="_blank"><b>Hamefoar</b></a>
- 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.<br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/sephardic-talit-beit-yosef/" target="_blank"><b>Beit Yosef</b></a>
- 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.</span>Ben G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-40172085508210299722014-06-25T06:53:00.000-07:002014-11-25T07:44:21.772-08:00Lightweight Tallis<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Tis the season for lightweight tallit purchases. This week we received several lightweight tallit purchases and inquiries. One inquiry I found to be surprisingly insightful:</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hi,<br />
I would like to get your advice on taleisim, since I can't
actually see them when ordering online. I'm looking for a
traditional black-stripe talis, as light weight as possible, except with
the top part reinforced for putting it over your head. Can you
recommend one? <span style="color: #44546a;">I
find having a little extra weight on the top part help it stay on my
head. It tends to fall off frequently when it’s unlined. </span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #44546a;">I
was looking at the page for the Kalil Tallis, and I’m curious as to why
it is made narrower than other taleisim. Do you know why they do that,
and how different that feels practically? Are there any lightweight
taleisim that are sized normally?<br />Thanks, David</span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">David is very right. A year or two ago I happened to have an extra <a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/sephardic-talit-beit-yosef/" target="_blank">Beit Yosef</a> atara, and had it
sewn on my Shabbos tallis, and then noticed that adding a bit of weight
there does improve "tallit stability."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Kalil is narrower so that you have less tallit bunched on your shoulders. Thin fabric, doubled up, is no longer very thin.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just about every other tallit is sized normally. I suggested to David that he consider the Tashbetz. But if you want to stick with a very
conservative black-striped look, you should know that up close the
Tashbetz fabric looks very slightly different from standard
black-striped tallits. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another option would be <a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/peer-nonslip-tallit-hamefoar/" target="_blank">Hamefoar</a>. Here in Israel
it's marketed as <i>Pe'er Kal</i> (<i>kal</i> means lightweight) and it is a smidge lighter than your
standard tallit. I would say it breathes a bit better than a standard
tallit, but not quite as well as the Tashbetz.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <b>Go to <a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/lightweight-tallit/" target="_blank">Lightweight Tallit page>></a></b> </span></span>Ben G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-62435954524439451042014-05-18T02:17:00.000-07:002014-05-18T02:17:58.196-07:00Tallit Sizing Tips<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Questions on tallit sizing are just about the most common inquiries we receive. This week we received an email from a customer in Australia who is happy with the handwoven tallit he bought from us six months ago, and is thinking of buying a second handwoven tallit, but has questions on tallit sizing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Although his question is specific to his height, a lot of people out their can benefit from an understanding of how a size 24 tallit and a size 36 tallit fits, which is fairly universal.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I have been thinking about purchasing another tallit . Although very
pleased with my last purchase I have always been keen on the look of the
<a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/kedma-ancient-weaving/" target="_blank">Kedma Classic</a> (based on the photos on your website). I'm just wondering
about the size? Would the 25 inches be wide enough or 36 inches? I am
5'10 in height.<br />
I appreciate your advice.</span></blockquote>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">With larger sizes, say 55 inches and up, the tallit is going to hang down in back, and then the question is how far it drapes.</span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">With
smaller sizes, whether 25 inches, 36 inches or 40 inches, someone 5'10"
could wear any of them, but each would be worn very differently. Let me explain in detail.</span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If the tallit is 18 to 20 inches wide, it is worn like a scarf, just sitting on the neck and hanging in front.<br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
If it is 24 to 26 inches wide, it is worn the same, but looks a bit
different because it covers some of the upper back and upper arms. <br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A size 36 sort of wraps around you, as opposed to simply hanging down in front.</span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Once
you get up to a size 45+, like you bought last time, the dimensions are
designed so that it drapes down the back, traditional style, covering
most of the back, or even hanging down to the belt, the back of the legs
or the knees, depending on one's personal preference. Some people your
height would even wear a size 70, which would hang down to the back of
their knees. It looks long and elegant that way, and very frum, but many
people find that to be too much tallit and hard to manage.</span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I have two idea for you to get an idea of a size 25 and a size 36.<br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
1) Watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltKwzUIimQo" target="_blank">this video</a>.
The model is only 5'1", but it still gives you an idea of what I'm
describing.<br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2)
Take your tallit, which is around 48 inches. Fold it in half
lengthwise, i.e. keep the atara straight, unfolded. You just turned it
into a 24 inch tallit. Try it on. <br />
<br />By the way, I have seen Yemenites who wear their tallit this way
every day. The Gemara speaks of taking your tallit and מתעטף yourself in
it, which means wrap yourself. According to the Yemenite, and to some
extent German, tradition, this means you wrap it around yourself, with
the tzitzit in front. (I can't understand why Yemenite Jews don't simply
buy a size 24 or 36 and save themselves a lot of money.) Most other
Jews hold that you should have two tzitzit corners in front, and two in
back.</span><h4>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/tallit-sizes/" target="_blank">Tallit Size Wizard>>></a></span></h4>
Ben G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-4889539518732957152014-05-14T07:40:00.000-07:002014-05-14T07:40:36.609-07:00Nonslip Tallit<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In recent years nonslip tallits have gained popularity quite quickly. Today we received the following, very short inquiry from parents shopping for a nonslip tallit for their son.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Which is the tallis that does not fall off?</span></blockquote>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The truth is that any tallit can fall off, but in
recent years tallit makers started developing special textured weaves
that help keep the tallit in place. Tallit sellers often call these
a "nonslip tallit," which is probably a touch of hyperbole, but I have
had customers rave about how well they stay put on their shoulders. <br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My
own Shabbos tallit has this nonslip tallit fabric (sometimes referred to as a box weave or waffle weave) and I'm quite happy with
it. Beyond the nonslip factor, the tallitfabric is supple and has a nice feel to
it.<br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you go to the search box on the upper right of <a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/">our webstore</a> and enter "nonslip" you will see a wide range of nonslip tallit options, or try <a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/search.php?search_query=nonslip&x=0&y=0">this link</a>.<br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We
have a lot of resources on the upper navigation bar to help you choose
the right tallit, the right tzitzit, etc., and if you have any further
questions, feel free to contact me.</span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br clear="all" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Ben G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829004587161092363.post-33565335431105793162014-05-05T14:40:00.002-07:002014-05-05T14:40:28.865-07:00Tallit with Matching Tallit BagThis week we received an inquiry from a customer in Chile. He plans to make a big order, including tallit, tallit bag, tallit bag cover, tallit katan and mezuzahs, so he has a lot of questions to ask.<br />
<br />
After he settled on a top-of-the-line traditional black-striped wool tallit, he asked about a matching tallit bag. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div>
I think i'm buying the chatanim, it's really beautiful =)</div>
<div>
<a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/tallit-chatanim/" target="_blank">http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.<wbr></wbr>com/tallit-chatanim/</a></div>
<div>
The tallit also includes a plastic bag and the matching tallit bag?</div>
</blockquote>
<div>
</div>
From his question, it sounds like he's assuming the tallit comes as a set, with a free matching tallit bag. But the truth is high-end tallits are never sold with a matching bag.<br />
<br />
There
is no matching bag made for the Chatanim. In fact, I've never seen a
matching bag for a black-striped tallit. All of the matching tallit bags
have a bit of color in them, e.g. black-silver, white-silver,
blue-silver, blue-gold, etc. Also, the matching bags on the top
line <a href="http://tzitzit.tallit-shop.com/tallit-tefillin-bag/">here</a> are not such great quality (that's why they are only $12.50) and they are not quite big enough for a size 70.<br />
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
Usually
people who wear a black-striped tallit do not have a matching bag, but
just any bag they like (usually dark blue, but not always). With tallit bags, generally the more you spend,
the better the material.<br />
<br />
I use a fairly inexpensive velvet bag (under
$15) from before I ventured into the tallit business, and it has held up quite well for several years. But to tell you
the truth, I secretly wish it would wear out so I could get something a
bit nicer.<br />
Ben G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05920085106074488542noreply@blogger.com0