What's with the tallis?

[tonga]

Just curious-almost every time I see a photo of a Messianic man,
he is wearing a tallis. Portrait, standing around in the background,
lecturing...they seem to always have them on in photos.

So do Messianics wear them all the time when in the congregation
(and I am speaking of tallis gadol)? Why do they always seem to
have them on in pictures?

[alon]

Actually, I'd be interested in hearing the answer to that. As a gentile, I've never tried to "be Jewish" (i.e. imitate them). So I never felt the need. Then there's the issue of my knowing just enough about them to know I don't even know how to wear one properly. I remember when I attended Synagogue with a friend while in the service (my intro to Judaism and, for that matter Jews in general) they loaned me one and I was sort of a source of amusement while they straightened me out.

It's too bad I couldn't understand what they were saying most of the time. Maybe I'd have straightened my life out then as well.

Dan C

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

B"H

It's a good question. Tonga refers to a "tallis", which is an Ashkenazic pronunciation, but I will henceforth refer to it as a "tallit", which is sephardic pronunciation (and also the official pronunciation for current day Nation of Yisra'el). At any rate, I think one of the possible answers to Tonga's question is that the pictures are probably being taken during special times or events, such as meetings for the moedim (holy days), and thus most obeservant Jews in this case would be wearing a tallit. Or, it could be that the picture was taken during shacharit prayers that take place each day...again another time that most observant Jews have their tallit on.

Another possibility is that the tallit is simply symbolic of the mitzvot and a life of , as they bear the tzitziyot. If a leader is having his picture taken, or anyone for that matter, and they are zealous for the ...it would be natural for them to want to be characterized in this manner by wearing a tallit. As we pray for Am Yisra'el to be more and more observant of the mitzvot...I guess the question should be...why don't more Jews wear their tallits more often?...I really do think that is the better question.

Alon, I think it is interesting that the synagogue you went to encouraged you to wear a tallit. Unless you converted to Judaism, and/or were a part of their community, usually they discourage that. Was it a Reform or Reconstructionist synagogue? Granted, a Messianic synagogue or congregation is usually more encouraging in this.

Chen v'shalom aleychem,

R' Reuel

[alon]

I was in the service- actually in boot camp at the time. So I'm guessing pretty liberal as they had to accommodate everyone who wanted to attend. They loaned them to everyone, as it wasn't part of standard issue "green-n'-uniform". I stayed in the back and tried not to stand out too much, which was ironic I guess because I was there with a friend who didn't want to stand out as the only Jew in the platoon.

Dan C

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

...I was there with a friend who didn't want to stand out as the only Jew in the platoon.

That is great! Thank you for sharing!