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My Tallit by Suzanne Gallant

By February 21, 2015April 21st, 2015No Comments

My Tallit

By Suzanne Gallant

Torah does not command

The wearing of a tallit,

It only instructs the Israelites

To add fringes to their garments

And to tie knots on them.

Until modern times, in progressive communities

Only men would wear this garment

With its fringes,

They would wear the tzitit, fringes

All the time.

When this woman had an adult

B’nai Mitzvah, I bought one for myself.

And put it on whenever it was right.

I learned the prayer before donning one

Wearing it with pride.

But recently, a rabbi helped to make it

Even more meaningful to me.

How to hold it and swing it up:

“Lift the tallit, swing it high

And make a tent.”

Welcome, greet and feel the Presence

“There you are my God,

I’m here to praise your name

And feel the joy and blessing

Of Shabbat and prayer.