The Prayer Shawl, (aka. tallis, tallit, talis) is a religious symbol, a garment, shroud, canopy, cloak which envelops the Jew both physically and spiritually, in prayer and celebration, in joy and sorrow.
Anyone attending an orthodox synagogue today will see that the men are all wearing prayer shawls. It is a very important part of Jewish life. Learning about this sacred garment will teach many exciting lessons from other Bible stories, even in the New Testament!
It is used at all major Jewish occasions: circumcisions, bar mitsvahs, weddings and burials. It protects the scrolls of the Torah when they are moved.
It inspired the Jewish flag. Three separate people had the same idea. They just unfurled the prayer shawl and added the Shield of David and created the flag of Israel.
Jewish weddings have evolved much since Bible times. For this study we will use Genesis 24 as a starting point.
The Servant is Sent In Genesis 24, Abraham did according to the custom of His day and sent his servant to find a bride for his son. As the servant went to Rebekah, he did not tell of himself; he bragged on the son. Likewise, Jesus said of the Holy Spirit in John 16:14-15, " He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you." When the Holy Spirit meets that prospective bride, He brags on the Son. We must beware of any movement that makes more of the Servant than the Son.
The Price Is Paid In the Jewish homes, it was an honor to have a son; he carried on the family heritage. However, a daughter was expensive to raise. When she was of age she married, changed her identity, and carried on a different family name. Therefore, it was customary to offer a price for the bride. Such was the case in Genesis 29 where Jacob worked for Rachel. He was paying her 'bride price." Likewise, Jesus paid a price for His bride on the cross of Calvary. That is what Paul was referring to 1 Corinthians 6:20 when he said, "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." If you went out and paid $30,000 for a new automobile and they refused to hand over the engine, you would feel ripped off. Are we not doing the same when we have been paid for and we refuse to surrender our whole lives?
What factual questions need to be asked about our Messiah? To explore these questions and find the truth is no shame, for God himself has put forth His truth so we would not be misled in any way. That is why we have the Bible, the truest book ever written. What must the Messiah do in order for us to know that He is the Messiah?
He must suffer for our sins as the prophet Isaiah foretold in the Bible. "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed." The Book of Isaiah 53:5
Does the Bible tell us where on His body He will be wounded? His hands and feet will be pierced: "And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends." The Book of Zechariah 13:6 "For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet." The Book of Psalms 22:16 His back and face will be smitten: "I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. I hid not my face from shame and spitting." The Book of Isaiah 50:6 "Now gather thyself in troops, 0 daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek." The Book of Micah 5:1
Copyright 1997-2007 By The Hope Of Israel
Baptist Mission. All Rights Reserved. The Information on this Site cannot be
stored on BBS or Internet sites without permission from the author. The
information cannot be sold or placed by themselves or with other material in any
electronic format for sale, but may be distributed for free by e-mail or by
print. They must be left intact and nothing removed or changed, including these
informational headers. The Hope Of Israel: Http://www.hopeofisrael.net Email: webmaster@hopeofisrael.net Standard disclaimers apply to all material on this
site.]
The Hope Of Israel
PO Box 1700
Powder Springs, GA 30127
USA
The Prayer Shawl, (aka. tallis, tallit, talis) is a religious symbol, a garment, shroud, canopy, cloak which envelops the Jew both physically and spiritually, in prayer and celebration, in joy and sorrow.