The Prayer Shawl

A number of years ago, a friend gave me a Jewish prayer shawl. It was a gift she had prayed over for me, like a prayer cloth, before I was going in for surgery. It was a blessing and comfort to me. In the days leading up to and even after the surgery, I would often come under its covering, grasp the blue and white tassels, and pray. My friend had sent me some information about their significance, and it has been a gift I have taken and used ever since that continues to give me peace, comfort, and a place of meeting with Him.

During one of our REST Women’s’ Retreats, our theme was “Anchored in Truth—Wrapped in His Glory” and the keynote scripture was from Psalm 91:4—He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. (NLT) As I prepared to share, the Lord reminded me how these prayer shawls are connected to this verse and how they are another optional tool for us to use to be anchored in truth, wrapped in His Glory, and to enter into His REST.

(Listen to the audio of the full message here.)

In Jewish tradition, prayer shawls are a symbol, garment, shroud, canopy, or cloak used to envelop the wearer both physically and spiritually. The Jewish people would use them in prayer, in celebration, in joy, and in sorrow. Many times they were presented as a child came of age or offered as part of a wedding dowry.

Even more significantly, the Prayer Shawl, or Tallit in Hebrew, was a commanded blessing, given by God, with an important purpose. In Numbers‬ 15‬:37‬-41‬ we read:‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“God spoke to Moses: “Speak to the People of Israel. Tell them that from now on they are to make tassels on the corners of their garments and to mark each corner tassel with a blue thread. When you look at these tassels you’ll remember and keep all the commandments of God, and not get distracted by everything you feel or see that seduces you into infidelities. The tassels will signal remembrance and observance of all my commandments, to live a holy life to God. I am your God who rescued you from the land of Egypt to be your personal God. Yes, I am God, your God.”” (MSG)‬‬‬‬‬

Interestingly, the word "corner" (knaff in Hebrew) is also translated "wings." In Jewish households on the Sabbath, the father often takes his prayer shawl and pulls his children under it with him as he prays for them. It represents his authority over them as well as his responsibility to protect and nurture them under his “wings”.

Several times in the Psalms, including Psalm 91:4, David writes about our taking refuge in the shadow of God's wings—our Heavenly Father’s wings. This doesn't literally mean wings like a bird’s. Rather, God the Father wants to take us under his tallit… under his authority and protection.

Another scripture that mentions wings is in Malachi 4:1-2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. Jesus Christ became that “son” of righteousness to all who would place themselves under His authority and protection by calling on His Name and coming under His wings.

It’s on these “wings” of the prayer garment that the tassels, or tzitzit, are attached. It was these tassels that the woman with the issue of blood grabbed hold of and received her healing by faith when she touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. (Luke 8:43-48, Mark 5:25-34)

The tassels hold special significance, too, because they represent both the Word of God and the Spirit of God. The tzitzit consist of a specific set of knots and threads. Each one of these is symbolic:

• 5 Knots—The first 5 books of the Bible (Torah)

• 4 Spaces—The Name of God (YHWH)

In Hebrew, each letter in their alphabet also has a number value, and each word, thus, has a number value. The value of the word “tzitzit” is 600. If you combine that value (600) with the 5 knots, made from the 8 threads of the tzitzit, you come to the number 613…and there are 613 commandments in the Torah. So, the purpose of the tzitzit was to remind the children of Israel that they were to honor and obey the commandments of God.

The threads of the tzitzit are also significant. The colors of most of the threads are generally white, with a blue thread running through. The white threads represent our lives and that we are set apart and holy to God. The blue thread, however, is special. It is longer than the other threads and is called the "Shamash", or helper. This “Helper” is the one that wraps around and binds the rest together. We, of course, recognize this Helper as the Holy Spirit of God that Jesus sent to be our Helper, Counselor and Power.

So the prayer shawls (tallit) can be used to remind the wearer of the Name of God, the Word of God, and the Spirit of God, but what other purpose did they hold?

Interestingly, the Book of Acts describes the apostle Paul as a "tentmaker". Because the Hebrew term for tent and tallit is the same, however, many believe that he actually made Prayer Shawls, not tent structures as we know them. So why might the prayer shawl be compared with a tent?

When you look at when the Israelites, after they had been delivered from Egypt, were wandering in the desert, they had the tabernacle to hold the Ark of the Presence. The tabernacle was a temporary dwelling in that time. Well, Moses was leading millions of people in the wilderness, and all of them could not fit into the tent of meeting that was set up. But through the decree God made in Numbers 15:37-41, He declared that they should all have these garments to wear with the tassels. The prayer shawls were to remind the wearer to be faithful to God’s Word and to place themselves under His authority and protection; they were to remind them of His presence that went with them; but they were also to provide each person with a personal prayer tent…to wrap themselves under the shadow of His wings, and to take personal time of fellowship with Him; time set apart from anyone else, totally focused upon God.

So the next time you see a prayer shawl, or perhaps use one of your own, let it remind you of God and His Word, but also consider using it as your own personal prayer room, sheltered from distractions, wrapped in His presence, and protected under the shadow of His wings. We believe He will meet you in a special way when you take time with Him to listen and fellowship.

To listen to the Message “Wrapped in the Secret Place” visit:

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